The health of our whole body is linked, in some way or the other, to the health of our oral cavity. This is why it is important to make sure that our teeth and gums remain strong and free of harmful infections. While most adults are perfectly capable of maintaining good oral hygiene at home themselves, following a routine dedicated towards keeping teeth and gums healthy can be a bit of a challenge for the kids.
Our team of experts in Deming go the extra mile in making sure that the youngest of patients are not only treated for their conditions, but also educated on the importance of good oral health. Here are a few things we focus on:
- Regular Cleaning for Cavity Prevention: The first and foremost goal of keeping the teeth and all their supporting structures clean, is to prevent the development of caries – also known as tooth decay. Caries is an infectious condition and may spread rapidly from one tooth to the next if not treated in a timely manner. Keeping the teeth clean by brushing at least twice a day, most importantly before bed time, and flossing every alternate day can keep harmful bacteria at bay.
- Dietary Modifications: Bacteria need favorable conditions to initiate the process of caries. These conditions include the presence of a substrate – usually dietary sugars – and a low pH in the mouth. While it may be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to completely cut down sugar from your child’s diet – you have to keep a check on it. Encourage healthy eating habits such as the consumption of raw vegetables and fruit instead of carbohydrates and sugary snacks.
- Frequency and Quantity of Snacking: There is a common misconception regarding the frequency and quantity of snacking that kids can or should do. The fact is, eating 4 whole candy bars in one go is probably less harmful for oral health than if the same 4 candy bars are consumed at short intervals throughout the day. Our saliva acts as a natural mouth cleanser, and frequently consuming unhealthy snacks delays or curbs its activity. When the saliva is not given adequate time to cleanse the mouth, the teeth become more and more susceptible to bacterial attacks. This combined with inadequate cleaning can lead to decay.
- Protecting Primary Teeth: Another common misconception is that the primary, or milk teeth, aren’t as important as the permanent dentition because they are eventually going to fall out. While the falling out bit is true, the primary dentition holds a great deal of significance because it helps the little ones learn how to eat, chew and explore different food groups – and it acts as a placeholder for the permanent teeth when they are ready to erupt into the arches. The milk teeth therefore should be protected from decay and infection.
Our teeth help us smile, speak and chew our food – with so many important functions, they demand a great deal of care and maintenance. We encourage all parents to instill healthy oral hygiene habits in their kids starting from the day the little ones get their very first tooth. For everything else, our team of the most skilled pediatric dentists and oral surgeons at Deming Children’s Dentistry is at your service!
