Health starts in the mouth. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to oral and dental care after the first milk tooth comes out. Parents have a great responsibility until their children gain this awareness. Because, contrary to popular belief, problems related to oral and dental health are frequently seen in childhood. Moreover, if not treated correctly during this period, it can lead to lifelong problems and tooth loss.
Decaying teeth, trauma due to falls and infectious diseases… Professor of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Hamidiye University of Health Sciences, explains the common problems and solutions regarding oral and dental health in childhood. Dr. We talked with Günseli Güven Polat.
The most common problem: Decay
When it comes to dental health in childhood, the first thing that comes to mind is caries. Prof. Dr. Polat said, “The most common chronic infectious disease in children, not only in Turkey but also in the world, is caries. “The disease we call early childhood caries is very common, especially in children under the age of 6,” he says.
So, what needs to be done to take precautions against possible caries that may occur in childhood? The first step in this regard is taken while the expectant mother is still pregnant. “A caries prevention program should be applied to expectant mothers starting from pregnancy,” said Prof. Dr. Polat explains the reason as follows:
“Caries seen in children are caused by the transmission of bacteria from the mother’s mouth. “If the mother has many rotten teeth in her mouth, they will most likely decay quickly when her child’s teeth come in.”
Parents should brush their children’s teeth
Of course, this is not the only reason for tooth decay in children. Cavities may also occur due to hygienic reasons and eating habits. This is why it is necessary to start care with the first milk tooth. Prof. Dr. We learn from Polat the path to be followed in this process:
“From the moment the child’s teeth first begin to emerge, their teeth should be brushed twice a day with a brush and toothpaste appropriate for their age. Children begin to erupt their first teeth at the age of six months. From now on, they are fed with breast milk for at least one or two years, in accordance with the recommendations of their pediatricians. However, even breast milk is not innocent… If a child falls asleep with breast milk at night, it can cause tooth decay problems due to the sugar in it.
