It is normal for parents to want good health for their kids and
excellent dental health is surely achievable. What can you do as a parent to
help?
When your children are very young you can avoid putting the baby
to bed with a bottle. It also wise to avoid putting juice or any other
sweetened beverage in a bottle. Both these practices often lead to what is
known as baby bottle tooth decay which can destroy those first teeth that we as
parents were so excited to see come into the mouth.
Small children seem to be always on the hunt for something to
snack on. This is normal for they are growing very fast and need to" feed
the fire” so to speak. Certain snacks certainly lead to higher risk of dental
disease. There are of course the obvious sugary treats that kids usually prefer
and if consumed often as a snack can cause cavities. To these usual suspects I
would add any refined carbohydrates such as breads (yes, even whole wheat),
crackers: in short anything made with flour. These foods are best consumed
at mealtime when teeth can be brushed afterwards. In between meal snacks should
be of the low decay risk type such as raw fruits and vegetables. Remember lots
of chewing is good the for the development of the face and jaws.
So much the chewable risks to dental health: what about the
drinkable risks? I would advise any parent to stick to water as the between
meal thirst quencher of choice. Any other drink between meals can contribute to
tooth decay in the young. All the fun drinks including milk are best consumed
at mealtimes.
In all this effort at controlling the intake proven decay causing
foods we must remember it is not the occasional in between meal treat that
causes problems but the regular pattern of their consumption when the brushing
of the teeth is not convenient that leads to trouble.
Parents should brush their children’s teeth from a very young age
and continue to monitor their children's efforts when they are able to use the brush
themselves. Flossing can be added when tolerated.
Remember that regular visits to the dentist for thorough exams and
profession cleanings will catch any problems early when they are easy to treat.
These visits can begin as young as eighteen months. I wish you well.
Cheers
Dr. Shawn Lee a Vernon Dentist
