February is National Children’s Dental Health Month.
We at Mangisa Dental Care would like to bring it to you first hand, because despite the fact that it is almost entirely preventable, tooth decay is the most common chronic dental disease in children.
The good news is that there are safe & effective preventative measures that can be taken to protect your little one’s teeth. Like the old saying goes…”prevention is better than cure”
We recommend that children start their dental visits from the age of three in order to familiarise them with good oral hygiene practices.
During your child`s dental visit you can expect the following treatment to help improve their oral hygiene and help prevent tooth decay:
1) Polishing: which is cleaning/ polishing of the tooth surface. Polishing removes plaque, extrinsic stains and makes it difficult for plaque to accumulate on the tooth surface due to its new smooth surface.
2) Fissure sealants: a fissure sealant is a fluoride-releasing dental material that is applied on the grooves of kid’s permanent molars to help prevent tooth decay. This procedure is normally performed from 6 years upwards.
3) Fluoride Application; Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens the enamel of teeth. This mineral is also found in toothpaste and water in small dosages.
4) Oral Health education: We teach the kids the correct brushing technique and the importance of keeping their teeth clean.
An important tip for moms with tots: Nursing Bottle Decay
Nursing Bottle Decay is the frequent and long term exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing sugar, such as fruit juice, sweetened tea, and even formula milk can cause gross decay of the upper incisors/ front teeth. It is far healthier to give your child water in between feedings. To prevent Nursing bottle decay, take care not to give your child a bottle that contains surgery drinks to feed on for prolonged periods of time, for example, if you allow your child sleep with a bottle in their mouth overnight, they become more susceptible to developing these cavities.
Please share your thoughts with us; we would love to hear from you.
Remember, you don’t have to brush all your teeth. Just the ones you want to keep!
By: Kholosa Vundisa