“It\’s horrifying that in a society such as ours, this still occurs,” is how Professor David Manton, a paediatric dental expert with the University of Melbourne described hospital scenes where young children are turning up with swollen mouths indicating extreme tooth decay.
As dental professionals in the most livable city in the world, hearing this is truly alarming. And worse, we also found out that close to about 70,000 Australians that are admitted to hospitals actually have preventable dental conditions. Worse still – Out of the 70,000 cases, 6700 were Victorian children and teenagers.
Some of these children had cases of tooth decay so severe that all of their teeth had to be extracted. Imagine that – a two-year-old needing all of his or her teeth removed!
This should be very concerning to any parent.
Oral hygiene for children
It’s important to understand that Dental issues are preventable. This is why we have a ‘Prevention First’ approach. Dental Care Group put an emphasis on complete oral care for the entire family, and believe in managing our children’s dental health from a young age. Families have to make sure they observe proper oral hygiene.
Parents play the biggest role in establishing this as a routine during their child’s formative years.
It’s ideal to:
- Set a fixed time daily so that children recognise the importance of oral hygiene
- Emphasise the importance of toothbrushing as an essential part of their dental hygiene routine
- Highlight the importance of flossing
- Assist kids in doing so until it becomes a habit
Some other guidelines to follow:
- Children are usually able to brush their teeth by themselves by the time they hit six years old
- Introduce flossing when they are a little older
- Using a floss holder can help them learn very quickly
Parents should also be able to set an example to their kids by taking care of their own teeth as well by joining in with them as they brush and floss. Doing this demonstrates to your children that it is not a rule just for them – it is part of your daily routine, too!
Diet and its importance to complete oral and dental health
Our food choices obviously affect our dental health. But people tend to only think “sugar = decay.“
But we need to make better decisions around diet for ourselves and our children.
Childrens’ eating patterns and diet are important factors when it comes to the onset of tooth decay. The more sugary their foods and drinks are, the more prone they are to this.
As parents, you can take the reins when it comes to controlling the amount of sugar your kids consume. You can check food labels out before purchasing them.
Make sure you stay away from or brush after food and drinks that have high added sugar contents, such as:
- Lollies (especially sour ones)
- Soft drinks
- Dried fruits
For those with babies and toddlers, make sure your children don’t go to bed with milk on their teeth all night. This can also cause dental problems.
To keep your family’s dental health in good condition, it helps to maintain a balanced diet. Make sure you choose a variety of food from the major food groups to make sure your family is getting the right nutrients.
Getting treatment
If your children do need help, whatever the cause, it’s important that you seek the help of a dental expert ASAP.
Before the condition worsens and it leads to cavities and other issues, your child should be able to receive immediate dental care and treatment.
Unfortunately for some people with dental problems, they often go to hospitals because they were not able to get emergency treatment because the dentist was not available or because of the cost.
At Dental Care Group, you don’t have to worry about this.
- You can call Dr Zelman (who is available out of hours)
- We can see you on the same business day when you call us by midday
- We provide high-quality dental service at very reasonable rates
Our concern, first and foremost, is to take care of your dental health and do it urgently when it is an emergency.
Looking for a child-friendly dental clinic in Armadale?
Regardless of how old we are, we are vulnerable to tooth decay. It is especially common for those who have a poor diet and dental hygiene routine. But it is also due to the fact that people do not see their dentist enough. We all get busy. We all struggle to make the time.
But as parents, it’s very important to start taking care of our children’s teeth as early as possible. And if you are looking for a dentist for you and your child in Armadale or its surrounds, Dental Care Group is at your service.
Dental Care Group is a new dental practice located in the heart of Armadale. We have a kid-friendly team who can provide high quality and state-of-the-art dental services for you and your family.
And whether we are dealing with temporary or permanent teeth, we can take care of your child’s dental health! Book an appointment online, or call us today!
