Developing good oral habits early on in life is crucial for every child, as the good health of their milk teeth will pave the way for healthy permanent teeth. It is both challenging and frustrating as teaching our little ones good oral habits can really be quite tricky. My little man, for instance, would have a number of alibis before going to the bathroom to brush his teeth, and now that we have established a regular routine, the trick lies in making sure he cleans his chompers thoroughly and completely so we can prevent toothaches and tooth decay.
Recent survey shows that 9 out of 10 Grace 1 public school students aged 6 years old in the Philippines have cavities and that our country is far behind other Western Pacific Region countries in terms of oral health. The 2 most commn oral health problems plaguing us are dental caries and periodontal diseases, which can be avoided by improving oral health conditions among pre-school children and inculcating a positive oral health behavior to children entering school age.
Oral Care Myths Busted!
Before going through the tips that would help us care for our pearly whites better let us first bust a number oral care myths.
Myth #1: It is best to rinse with a non-alcoholic based mouthwash immediately after brushing.
Busted: Fluoride in your toothpaste will be washed away if you do that it is best to allow 30 minutes to pass before rinsing with a mouthwash. It is true, though, that you should use a non-alcoholic based mouthwash. It is also recommended to rinse with a mouthwash before brushing to soften plaque and loosed particles between teeth.
Myth #2: The acidity of your food or drink must be considered before brushing your teeth.
Busted: Because of the acidic nature of the food you ate or juice/cola you drink, the outermost portion of the tooth is porous during this time and immediate brushing can cause enamel abrasions exposing the dentin causing tooth sensitivity.
Myth 3: Tooth stains are only caused by external factors.
Busted: There are 2 kinds of tooth stains ~ intrinsic and extrinsic. The extrinsic stains are those that appear on the surface of the teeth as a result of exposure to dark-colored beverages, foods and tobacco, and routine wear and tear. Superficial intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are minor and can be removed with brushing and prophylactic dental cleaning. Stubborn intrinsic stains can be removed with more involved efforts, like teeth bleaching. Persistent extrinsic stains can penetrate into the dentin and become ingrained if they are not dealt with early. Intrinsic stains are those that form on the interior of teeth. Intrinsic stains result from trauma, aging, exposure to minerals {like tetracycline} during tooth formation and/or excessive ingestion of fluoride.
As a mother you want the best for your kids. You want them never to go without and you want them to grow up with friends and family surrounding them. A mother wants her children to be strong and healthy and yes, a mother wants her kids to be happy. But what about that smile that is one ‘symptom’ of a happy, healthy child? Have you taught your kids about the importance of a smile?