A great smile is important at any age, but creating good dental habits should star early and be reinforced regularly. As responsible grandparents, take time to support your family’s teeth by modelling good dental hygiene and encouraging healthy eating. Too many Kiwi children are experiencing dental problems far too early, with a combination of a diet high in sugary food and drinks and failing to brush their teeth twice a day.
According to the New Zealand Oral Health Survey, dental decay remains the most prevalent chronic, and irreversible, disease in New Zealand and more than 40% of 2-4 year olds are not being seen by a dental professional.
Senior Oral Health Educator Deepa Krishnan says that, “unfortunately there is no magic bullet when it comes to keeping kids’ teeth and gums healthy. Instead, the focus needs to be on education and instilling good habits right from the start.”
It’s often tempting for grandparents to give children “treats” in the form of sweets and sugary drinks, but try and keep them to a minimum – fruit and vegetables should also be seen as exciting and delicious – there are plenty of interesting ways to serve them that are appetising for children and encourage healthy habits.
Colgate, Plunket and the NZDA have worked together to compile a list of five tips for parents and caregivers to help them give their kids teeth the best start.
Five Tips for Teeth
- Baby teeth are important. They do eventually fall out but until they do, baby teeth play an important role in helping your child bite and chew food, and speak clearly. Baby teeth also save space for the permanent teeth and help guide them into place
- Clean their teeth in the morning and before going to bed at night. At some point, your child will want to brush his or her own teeth. It is important for children to learn to brush and it’s great to give your child a turn, but afterwards, you should always brush your child’s teeth a second time. Most children won’t be able to brush their teeth well on their own until they are about 8 years old.
- Check your child’s teeth regularly to detect dental decay. The best way to do this is to lift back the lips to check for chalky white spots or lines on the tooth near the gum line. If you notice this on their teeth take your child to a community dental clinic as soon as possible – dental care is free for children under 18 years.
- Plunket staff or other well child health providers can tell you how to contact your local community dental clinic and enrol your child. It’s important to commence regular dental check-ups from the moment your child’s first teeth appear. Community dental clinics are a free service and are often located within primary schools. You can also contact 0800 TALK TEETH/0800 825 583 to find your nearest clinic.
- Frequent consumption of sugary foods and drinks can cause Early Childhood Caries. Avoid eating sugary foods in between meals. If your child eats sweet sticky foods, they are best eaten at mealtimes. Also, encourage your children to drink water during and at the end of their meals to wash out any remnant sugar.