Protect their smile before Decay steals it
A visit to the dental office usually sparks a wave of anxiety in all of us. More so, when we are parents to little ones, wondering how they would handle it. Dental visits at such a young age can be overwhelming and when we translate our anxiety to our children, they start anticipating the worst.
Many parents don’t realize that a regular visit to a dentist makes these appointments easier every subsequent time. Instead, There is always a dichotomy between parents whether they should get the child checked out or rather when to get them checked out and parents usually realize a kids need for a dental appointment when a cavity or cavities have started causing pain or appear unesthetic. Despite the fact that milk teeth shed off and make way for permanent counterparts, they still need treatment and regular checks to avoid complex issues. A cavity on a milk tooth could cause pain, swelling or eventually infection of the permanent tooth underneath which is still developing. At this point that tooth has to be removed and that changes the balance of the whole jaw. After all this the dental appointments are blamed for being traumatic.
Is is Preventable?
The good news is that this is preventable and Most issues if caught early might not even need any invasive treatment. It is mandatory for a parent or care giver to take the responsibility to clean their child’s teeth. No matter the age, the gum pads and the teeth need to be cleaned . When there are no teeth, the gum pads should be cleaned with cotton pads.
Once teeth erupt, they need to be brushed. This continues till the child’s dexterity is good enough to brush effectively himself / herself.
The feeding cycle of the child dictates the oral status. Whether the child is breast fed, takes frequents feeds at night etc all affect the teeth. We see this very often in the mouths of 2-4 year old’s.
AVOID night feeding. It goes without saying that brushing at night is mandatory, but night feeds with a bottle cause something called nursing bottle caries, most common in children who feed at night and sleep off straight away. The milk on the teeth becomes fodder for bacteria and eats away the tooth structure.
Inspect their teeth regularly to notice any changes in the color or any spots present the teeth which could be a sign of early caries also known as incipient caries. Consult a dentist immediately if this happens.
Also the whole The Drill Fill concept has changed a little in pediatric dentistry. All cavities don’t necessarily need to be drilled and then filled. Varnish-like substances called Silver Diamine Fluoride can be applied on early carious teeth and can prevent further progression of the same. Nitrous oxide or anesthetic nasal sprays can be administered to calm down a child ensuring a pleasant experience for the Little One.
A visit to the dentist can give you anticipatory guidance which can help you achieve clarity as a parent or caregiver as to how to start and maintain oral hygiene in your child. Also lastly don’t translate your fears or habits to your child. If you are disciplined about health, your child will follow.
