by peterpan

Created on: April 09, 2008

Children's teeth need proper care, just like the adult teeth, to prevent decay. It needs extra attention because these the primary teeth are morphologically different from the permanent teeth such that the enamel and dentin layers are thinner that makes caries progression faster, thus, creating a greater tendency for pulpal involvement.

ORAL HYGIENE

Of course, this is a very important factor in the prevention of decay. The parents and caregivers should be educated on proper oral hygiene since their child may still require supervision in performing oral hygiene procedures. Children should be educated on the reasons why they have to brush their teeth as well as the importance of having a clean and healthy oral environment.

One of the best brushing techniques for children is the scrub technique. It is done by up and down and back and forth motion of brushing teeth. It is important to reach all surfaces of the teeth especially the molars and lingual areas (back areas). It is important to teach children to brush after meals. In cases where brushing is impossible, for example, after they ate candy while outside the house, gargling with water would do so that sucrose could be washed away, thus, preventing bacteria from utilizing it.

Flossing would compensate for the inability of toothbrushes to reach the in-between teeth surfaces since these areas are very susceptible to bacterial colonization, thus, have a great tendency for caries initiation. Mouth rinses could also be used as an adjunctive measure in oral hygiene procedures.

A positive behavior towards dental procedures as well as towards oral hygiene should be instilled in both the parents and the children to maximize the benefits that they can achieve in performing these oral hygiene measures.

DIET

The most notorious foods are the sweet and sticky foods since they cling to the tooth surfaces. Children should be given healthy foods less in sugars. However, in any case that a child takes in food rich in sugar, it would be best to have his teeth brushed to prevent decay. Put in mind however, that it is not really the amount of sugar intake that would pose harm on the dentition but it is the frequency as well as the longevity of having these teeth bathed in a sugar-rich environment since it would promote an increase in acidity in the mouth that could cause tooth decalcification.

The sugar clock would also be an important guide for the parents on the diet of their children to maintain good oral health. It tells what to eat

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