Redmond Molloy explains for kids prevention is better than cure.
Posted on Wed, Aug 04, 2010 @ 10:14 AM
Establishing good habits can help your child avoid oral health problems, such as tooth decay and gum disease and also wont lead to them having anything to fear about going to the Dentist. Redmond Molloy tries to answer some questions to give your kids the best start in life. As the proverb says “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure”
Can I let my child have sweets?
Most children want sweets, so denial does not work, try and make sure they don’t eat them often and encouraging them only to eat their sweets with a meal. This way, your child avoids having extra 'acid attacks' from eating sweets between meals. This helps prevent tooth decay by giving the teeth time to recover from the effects of the acids. We give the same advice to adults who are trying to reduce their cavities.
What are the best snacks to give my child?
The best snacks are the ones that don’t contain refined sugars like fruit and raw vegetables. Try tangerines, bananas, pieces of cucumber or carrot sticks. Other good snacks include breadsticks, crackers, rice cakes and plain popcorn.
Should I let my child have fizzy drinks?
No. Fizzy drinks contain sugars and acids that can affect the enamel on your child's teeth, making it thinner and weaker more susceptible to acid attack and decay
What are the best drinks for my child?
The best drinks for children aged over one year old are water or milk. Cow’s milk is not suitable as a drink until your baby is 12 months old. Where formula is a better alternative.
Fruit juices contain sugars and acids so it's best to have these at mealtimes and use a straw, as then the drink avoids the teeth as it is ingested straight down to the tummy. If your child is thirsty, it's better to give them water than to encourage a taste for sweet drinks. It's best to avoid giving babies fruit-flavored 'baby juices' as then they will develop a sweet drink habit and it is harder to wean them off these drinks, and never give them in feeding bottles."
Fruit juice is not suitable for babies under six months.
Can I let my child have milk at bedtime?
Water is the best drink to give at bedtime, but if you do give milk, don't add anything to it. Chocolate-flavoured 'bedtime' drinks and milkshake powder usually contain sugars, which can increase the risk of decay if given at bedtime. It is best to try and develop the routine where the last thing before bed is brushing the teeth, which can be made into fun time like counting the teeth etc and then after that brushing the only thing allowed is water.
Are sugar-free medicines better for my child?
Yes. Always ask for sugar-free medicines, the usual ones you would use like Calpol and Neurofen also have sugar free versions and remind your doctor about this if you're being given a prescription for your child. This is especially important if your child is taking long-term medication.
When should my child give up bottles?
Your child should begin moving off the bottle and on to a feeder cup at six months and try and get them using normal cups with a straw. Bottles should be given up completely by the age of one especially the night time one, because the teats and spouts encourage children to suck for long periods of time, which can mean the drinks that cause tooth decay stay in contact with your child's teeth for a long time.
Will a dummy or thumb sucking harm my child's teeth?
These won't harm teeth but will encourage an open bite. This is when teeth move to make space for the dummy or thumb. They may also affect speech development. Thumb sucking and dummies won't cause permanent problems as long as the habit stops by the time your child gets their second teeth, but it can be a hard habit to break. Discourage your children from talking or making sounds with their thumb or a dummy in their mouth, and don't dip dummies in anything sweet such as sugar or jam."
What are fissure sealants and should my child have it done?
This is a special filling that is painted onto a child's adult teeth to help protect them. It is generally done within two years of the first molar teeth erupting to protect them from decay it is painless no injections or drilling and it is done at the dental surgery. Talk to your dentist to find out if your child would benefit from this extra protection."