World Oral Health Day: 5 reasons for dental decay among kids | Health News

Bad oral health in children can stem from a variety of factors, including dietary choices, oral hygiene practices, fluoride intake, socioeconomic factors, and more. By addressing these issues and implementing preventive measures, we can help ensure that our children grow up with healthy smiles that will last a lifetime.

World oral health day 2024 (Photo credit: Pexels)

New Delhi: Oral health plays a crucial role in the overall health of a child, yet is often overlooked. Poor oral health is a very big issue and can lead to a multitude of problems if not correctly dealt with. They can be severe toothaches, cavities, and some serious infections. Poor oral heath does not only effect their teeth but their physical, mental health and overall self esteem. On the occasion of World Oral Health Day 2024, Dr Srinivas Namineni, MDS(Pediatric Dentistry), Rainbow Hospitals, shared that the knowing reasons behind this issue is the very first step in preventing dental decay. In this article, let’s discuss 5 major factors that are contributing to bad oral health in kids.

Dr Namineni said, “Bad oral health in children can stem from a variety of factors, including dietary choices, oral hygiene practices, fluoride intake, socioeconomic factors, and more. By addressing these issues and implementing preventive measures, we can help ensure that our children grow up with healthy smiles that will last a lifetime. Remember, a healthy mouth is a gateway to a healthy body, and taking care of our children’s teeth is an investment in their future health and happiness.”

Reasons for bad oral health among kids

Lack of Awareness on Oral Hygiene: The most important and significant factor for poor oral health is bad oral hygiene. Brushing for at least 2 minutes and two-times-a-day is an essential first step for children as well as parents, to achieve good dental hygiene and heath.

“Parents should make an example to motivate their children. Inadequate brushing and flossing, not brushing can lead to poor oral hygiene. Kids should also brush their teeth twice a day. Apart from brushing, flossing helps remove food particles and plaque struck in between teeth. This part is often neglected by both parents and kids. Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine can reduce the risk of poor oral health significantly,” he said.

High Sugar Diets: Children do not need additional sugar as a nutrient and excess sugar is a burden the Childs body. Children are always prone to choose some candies or sweetened drinks over anything healthy. This leads to the consumption of foods that are high in sugar.

While the access calories from sugars that come with them do damage to their bodies, sugars can ravish the teeth if consumed frequently. The bacteria in the mouth thrives on sugar leading to cavities and other infections. Limiting the consumption of foods rich in sugar can help in preventing poor oral health.

Avoiding Dental Checkups: Baby’s first dental check should start by not later than first birthday. Regular SIX monthly dental checkups are vital in maintaining good oral health. However, many parents do not take their children to the dentist regularly. These visits are important for early detection and treatment of problems such as cavities, misaligned teeth, and gum disease.

Professionals can diagnose problems before they become problematic. They can also give you and your children advice on maintaining good oral health and help you prevent any future complications.

Lack of Fluoride in Toothpaste: A big confusion in parents about how much of fluoride is good in tooth pastes to prevent dental caries. Fluoride is a mineral that helps prevent tooth decay by making the tooth enamel more resistant to acid attacks.

According to guidelines from across the world, minimum concentration of Fluoride in tooth paste meant for children of any age is 1000PPM. Children who do not receive adequate fluoride, whether through community water, toothpaste or treatments may be at a higher risk for dental caries.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay: For infants and toddlers, prolonged exposure to bottles containing sugary liquids can lead to what is known as Early Childhood dental caries or baby bottle tooth decay. This condition occurs when a child’s teeth are frequently in contact with sugars from drinks like milk, formula, or fruit juice, especially when they fall asleep with the bottle in their mouth.

At-will breast feeding during nights, while baby is sleeping beyond second birthday can also lead to Early childhood dental caries. First dental check by first birthday will be an opportunity to know how to bad feeding practices.

Prevention is key when it comes to maintaining good oral health in children. Regular dental check-ups, proper brushing and flossing techniques, limiting sugary foods and drinks, and ensuring adequate fluoride intake are all essential steps. Additionally, educating children and parents about the importance of oral health and establishing good habits early on can make a significant difference.