KUALA LUMPUR: Why bother to care for baby teeth knowing they are going to drop anyway?
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR TEETH: A Colgate worker attending to children joining a ‘Bright Smiles Bright Futures’ programme at Giant Kota Damansara. The programme yesterday was jointly organised by Colgate, JKM and Amal Yellow House Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama photo
Maybe this is what crosses the mind of parents whenever they are reminded to take care of their children’s baby teeth.
Taking care of the baby teeth or the first set of teeth is something that is hardly taken seriously.
The head of the Pediatric Dental Unit at Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s Pediatric Department Dr Noraini @ Nun Nahar Yunus pointed out that like permanent teeth, baby teeth helps in chewing food, pronunciation and instill self-confidence in children.
More importantly, the baby teeth prepares adequate spacing for permanent teeth replacing them and allow the jaw to develop properly.
“Baby teeth that had decayed or lost much earlier often affects the spacing for permanent teeth, causing the misalignment of permanent teeth,” she told Bernama when met at her office.
She explained that it is only natural that baby teeth starts giving way by the age of six, but in the event this happens much earlier the existing teeth moves into the gap and prevents the permanent teeth from growing in the right location.
In short, care for baby teeth is vital to ensure the proper positioning of the permanent teeth later on, which will help to avoid overlapping teeth, crooked teeth or crowded teeth.
Noraini suggested that parents start oral care of their children when they are still toddlers and undergo periodical dental checks as soon as the child’s first tooth appears.
It is best for parents to inculcate the habit of cleaning the teeth and the gums after eating using a brush or soft cloth.
“The proper way of cleaning children’s teeth is using a small and soft brush, tooth paste with fluoride and when brushing pull up the lips so that the gums and the teeth get cleaned as well,” she said adding that toothpaste with fluoride helps in dental care as long as not swallowed or used in excessive amount.
“Many mothers are ignorant of the fact apart from sweet food, mother’s milk and infant formula also contribute to dental caries.
“The sugar molecules in milk will be broken down naturally by bacteria in the mouth, producing lactic acid in the oral cavity that in turn corrodes the teeth’s surface,” she explained.
She advised parents not to mix sugar or condensed milk into their children’s milk instead they should be given water to drink after eating.
But what to do if the child is still adamant to eat something sweet?
“Eating sweets, chocolates, biscuits and cream bread should be restricted to meal times only.
“Sweet snack residues easily stick between the teeth, making them difficult to clean and thus acid is continuously produced in the child’s mouth that contributes to dental caries,” she said.
Nevertheless, she suggested that it was better if such food was not introduced to the child in the first place.
She advised parents not to buy or stock up these snacks at home, alternatively, parents should give crackers or fruits if their children ask for snacks in between meals. — Bernama