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Dentist: after quarantine – longer treatment procedures
Pediatric dentist Eglė Vitaitė says that children who are regularly taken by their parents for a preventive exam have noticeably better dental condition. Preventive checkups often help prevent cavities and other dental diseases in a timely manner. However, due to the threat of the coronavirus, the quarantine has caused a deterioration in the condition of many children, according to a media report.
“Unfortunately, due to the limited activities of the dentists, we were unable to provide the necessary assistance or begin new treatments. Therefore, there were cases where the tooth could not be saved and had to be extracted. Still, due to the restrictions quarantine measures were imposed, some diagnoses were made later, meaning that children had to face more difficult treatments and longer procedures. We noticed that during quarantine, children tended to consume more sweets and snacks, which could also lead to new cavities ”, says the dentist, a pediatric dentist at the Denticija clinic.
To keep children’s teeth healthy and prevent decay damage, it is important not only to visit a dentist prophylactically, but also to develop correct oral hygiene habits from an early age.
When to start teaching children to brush their teeth on their own?
Until the child goes to school, brushing the teeth is the responsibility of the parents. A child who has started going to school already wants to be independent, so it is natural for him to want to brush his teeth himself. However, BENU pharmacist Marius Lukštaraupis advises not to rush to give the child the toothbrush.
“For a child to brush their teeth properly, proper motility of the muscles of the hand must also be formed. It happens around 7-8 years, then I recommend starting to let the child brush their teeth himself. But even then , it takes parental care to clean children’s teeth correctly and completely. Even a couple of minutes of brushing on the spot for young children who don’t get tired can take longer, “says pharmacist .
Odontolė E. Vitaitė adds that the best way to encourage children to take care of their teeth is to set a good example. A child’s favorite toothbrush or toothpaste and smart technology can help motivate them to take care of their teeth.
“Smart technologies, such as devices in devices that are combined with toothbrushes, could also help. Not to mention the YouTube platform, where you can find various animated clips to help make tooth cleaning fun and fun. Dental care must become a habit. Parents must understand that it is important not to scare children with future pain or grinding of teeth, not to make a portrait of a dentist, who remembers the evil one ”, advises the specialist.
For proper teeth cleaning: the right tools
The smiles of children who go to school are often adorned with permanent teeth. Its care is different from that of deciduous teeth, so it should be taken into account when choosing a toothpaste, a brush and other oral hygiene products for the child. For permanent teeth, you should choose a toothpaste with a higher fluoride content, 1000 to 1500 ppm.
“As a child grows, fluoride is a very important chemical that protects teeth from decay and helps eliminate cavities in the early stages of the disease. Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and keep teeth white for longer. To know the most appropriate amount of fluoride in toothpaste, it is helpful to consult a pediatric dentist who will consider the condition of the teeth. If the teeth are healthy, it is possible to follow the age categories indicated on the toothpaste packages, ”M. Lukštaraupis tells the children about the toothpaste.
Toothpaste should not be the only oral hygiene product for a child. And caring for small teeth requires flossing. It is recommended to clean the interdental spaces with it every night. Additionally, pediatric mouthwash is available in pharmacies.
“Children can only use mouthwash when they learn to rinse their mouths and spit it all out. Manufacturers often indicate that they are suitable for children 6 to 7 years. However, you should consult a dentist before using the mouthwash, ”advises the BENU pharmacist.
The toothbrush should be chosen according to the size of the teeth.
When choosing a toothbrush for a child, parents usually focus on the age category specified by the manufacturer. According to the pharmacist, this is a really good guideline, but the individual size of the mouth and teeth must also be taken into account. If your child’s mouth and teeth are small, a slightly younger children’s toothbrush may be more suitable for him.
The toothbrush should not be too big; it is better to choose a smaller one, which will reach all the teeth and gums more easily. It is also important to pay attention to the bristles, they must be soft so as not to damage the gums.
“You should change your toothbrush at least every three months. If wear is visible, replacement should be more frequent. As the cold season approaches, it is important to note that the toothbrush should be replaced even in case of an infectious disease, since they can remain pathogenic, ”says the BENU pharmacist.
M. Lukštaraupis also draws attention to children’s nutrition: it is no less important in dental care than cleaning itself. The biggest enemies of the teeth are sweets, sugary drinks, malnutrition, which can interfere with the development of hard tissues and thus reduce the resistance of the teeth. It is important to take into account that an environment conducive to the development of dental caries is also frequent snacks, that is, the constant presence of food in the mouth, so it is recommended to follow a diet and eat at a certain time. In the evening, after brushing your teeth, you should no longer eat or drink sweet drinks, juices, only water.
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