Pediatric dentistry. How to keep children’s teeth healthy!

Caries is “contagious”!

One of the prerequisites for the development of caries is the presence of specific bacteria in the oral cavity (especially Streptococcus mutans). It has been known for several years that these bacteria are not found in the mouth at birth, but are most often spread through the saliva of parents. If you or members of your family suffer from dental caries, you should take precautions to ensure that your child does not become infected with similar bacteria, or at least not too early.

Baby teeth need care

Anyone who thinks that caring for baby teeth can be neglected because they are only used for a few years is completely mistaken. In baby teeth affected by caries, the bacteria that cause it can multiply very quickly and threaten the permanent teeth that will grow in later.

Brushing your teeth right after teething

As soon as the first tooth appears, it should be cleaned at least once a day with a soft, damp brush or cotton swab dipped in a pea-sized amount of children’s toothpaste. Later, when your child turns two, teeth should be cleaned twice a day.
At around three years old, your child can even start taking care of their teeth on their own. Brushing teeth on all sides is done in three steps:

• Step 1: Your child brushes the chewing surfaces with a back-and-forth motion.
• Step 2: With clenched teeth, the child “draws” small circles on the outside of the dental arches.
• Step 3: Your child “washes” the inside of their teeth.

Give your child time to practice brushing their teeth. At the beginning, it is not the thoroughness of cleaning that is crucial, but rather that the child understands why and how to brush their teeth. Only at the beginning of school age will your child be able to brush their teeth systematically. Until then, parents should supervise them and brush their teeth additionally every day, preferably in the evening before bedtime.

Children’s toothbrush: features

The market for children’s toothbrushes is huge. What matters is this: a toothbrush suitable for children should have a short head (less than 2 cm), many separate tufts, rounded plastic bristles, and a thick handle that does not slip out of the hand.

Toothpaste for children

Until the age of six, children should use children’s toothpaste, and after starting school, “normal” adult toothpaste. Young children cannot rinse well and often swallow toothpaste inadvertently. To avoid fluoride overdose, its content in children’s toothpastes is low – up to about 500 mg of fluoride per 1 kg of toothpaste.

Fluorides for children

Fluorides are the most effective means of preventing tooth decay. They inhibit the development of tooth decay and stimulate the “repair” of incipient carious lesions. There are various ways of providing fluorides to children and adults. The latest scientific findings show that fluorides are most effective when in direct contact with the surface of the tooth enamel (locally). That is why local caries prevention is preferred today – through toothpastes containing fluorides. If your child is at particularly high risk of caries, your dentist may apply fluoride varnish to the surface of your child’s teeth.

The first visit to the dentist

At the latest after all milk teeth have erupted, i.e. around the age of 2-3, it is time to visit the dentist. The earlier you introduce your child to the dentist’s office, the better.

Silane treatment

Teeth with deeply grooved chewing surfaces are particularly at risk of caries. Bacteria accumulate in grooves and depressions called fissures, which provide ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Sealing the fissures can significantly reduce the penetration of bacteria and thus the susceptibility of the tooth to caries for many years to come. During sealing, the fissures are “closed” with a special material (usually a photopolymer). This prevents the penetration of bacteria and thus the development of caries in the dental fissures.

5 stars for healthy teeth

By following five simple rules, your children can keep their teeth healthy.

Authors: Dr. Akio Mitov and Dr. Gergo Mitov M.Sc., www.ddk.bg