What is prevention of dental caries in children?
Although dental caries is very common in children,this is a preventable disease. That means if adequate measures are taken on a regular basis it may never occur.
What is necessary to do in order to avoid this problem?
Dental preventative care can be achieved through:
1/ Plaque control
Brushing twice a day is essential to prevent creation of plaque. Parents should start brushing their children’s primary teeth with fluoride containing toothpaste as soon as they erupt. Technique is not so important at this stage but just cleaning the teeth and massaging the gums. The children should be supervised until the age of 6-7 when they develop good manual dexterity .
Cleaning between teeth,for instance with floss, is just as important because a toothbrush cannot adequately reach these areas.
Plaque disclosing tablets can be useful as they help gain control over the plaque
2/ Diet control
Advice that dentists give with regards toi this should be simple,clear and most importantly realistic.
The bottom line is that the amount and frequency of sugary intake should be as minimal as possible. This ideally should happen at meal times only. Sticky and chewy sweets should not be part of the everyday child’s diet.
3/ Fluoride
There are two main types of fluoride applications- topical and systemic.
Topical fluorides athe ones in toothpastes,gels,rinses and varnishes.
Systemic application occurs through water fluoridation,fluoride tablets and drops,fluoridated milk and fluoridated salt.
4/ Fissure sealants
This is a flowable dental material, similar to white fillings, that provides barrier against bacteria. It is suitable for children that are more prone to develop tooth decay.
When should the prevention start?
There is a simple answer to this- as early as possible.
Parents should bring their children to the dental office by the age of 6 months so that they can take an advice before the problems develop. It is aslo of paramount impritance for the cildren to become familiar with the dental clinic environment and not have fear to visit.
How long should prevention last?
This is continuous process . Every dental treatment planshould have prevention at the heart of it . Dental professionals give preventative advice during the first visit and reinforce it as the treatment goes on.
Why is preventative care so important ?
It is always easier to work towards avoiding a problem than having to deal with it when it happens. Sometimes complications from dental caries can be very difficult to manage. They could result in loss of teeth and cause long-lasting unpleasant experience.