How Your Child Can Have Healthy Teeth and Gums

Oral hygiene

• Brush 2 times a day (morning and night).
• Floss once a day.
• Use an age-appropriate toothpaste with fluoride.
• Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste until your child is able to spit out the toothpaste independently.
• Young children often do not have the co-ordination and discipline to brush/ floss by themselves. You, as the parent or guardian, need to help them with this task until they can clean their teeth independently.

Diet

• Keep to a well-balanced diet
• Constant snacking increases the chance of tooth decay.
• Foods high in sugar e.g. Sweets, chocolate, ice cream, soda drinks and sweet biscuits should be limited to special treats.
• A child should be weaned off sucking on a milk bottle to go to sleep by the first birthday or sooner as this could lead to tooth decay.

Habits that may lead to crooked teeth

• Sucking a pacifier: Avoid using a pacifier. If your child uses a pacifier, break the habit as early as 3 months old.
• Thumb sucking: Discourage the child from thumb sucking by reminding the child vocally and by positive re-enforcement.

Prevention of Problems

• Regular visits to the dentist: The Ministry of Health recommends that children see a dentist by their first birthday for early detection. Apart from allowing a child to get accustomed to the dental setting, it is an opportunity for care-givers to get advice on home dental care.
• Fluoride treatment by the dentist may be recommended to children who are prone to tooth decay
• Fissure sealants: They may be recommended for children with irregular shaped teeth or teeth with deep pits and grooves. After placement of sealants, the grooves are shallower – making it easier to clean your child’s teeth.