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School
Going children can follow some simple rules for a great
smile. These are:
Good Home Care
1. Parents should supervise the child's brushing and
flossing.
One-third of parents allow their
children to brush and floss unsupervised.
2. The best time to brush is after breakfast and before
bed.
3. Encourage your child to floss at least once a day.
6. Supervise your child's flossing until age 10.
7. Snack in moderation. Cheese, vegetables and yogurt are all
nutritious snacks.
Fluorides
1. Fluoride not only helps prevent tooth decay, but can
also cure cavities in their early stages. A healed cavity
is stronger than the original surface.
2. A pediatric dentist can advise parents about sources of
fluoride supplements, fluoride treatments, fluoridated
toothpaste and fluoride mouth rinses.
3 A pea-size amount of toothpaste on the brush is plenty
for fluoride protection. Children should spit out, not
swallow, the toothpaste after brushing.
Sealants
1. Most cavities occur in places that sealants could have
protected. Four out of five cavities in children under age
12 occur on the biting surfaces of the back teeth.
2. Children with just a single application of sealants on
their back teeth had 50% less tooth decay and tooth
restoration after 15 years that children with sealants.
3. The teeth most at risk of decay and therefore most in
need of sealants are the six-year and twelve-year molars.
Regular Dental Visits
1. Teeth cleanings remove plaque build-up on the teeth.
Plaque irritates the gums and causes decay.
2. It is essential to get an on-going assessment of changes
in a child's oral health by a pediatric dentist. For
example, a child may need additional fluoride, dietary
changes, sealants, or preventive orthodontics for ideal
dental health. |
