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Childrens Tooth Development
Milk teeth are the first to arrive and they start to push through the gums at about 6 months of age. Most children will have all their 20 milk teeth by the age of 2 or 3. Milk teeth are very important for eating, speech, smile and confidence as well as for the development of the permanent teeth, so it is they need to be looked after properly so that in later life both the teeth and gums are healthy
Permanent teeth start to erupt at 6 years old and a fully grown adult will have up to 32 permanent teeth. Most of them will erupt at about 13 years of age, with the last milk tooth falling out at 12 years old.
Damage to Teeth
Many children fall over and bump their teeth accidentally, or even knock them out. If this happens it is important to take them to the nearest dentist for advice. This is an accidental cause of tooth damage, but there are also preventable causes such as tooth decay and dental erosion
Tooth Decay and Dental Errosion
Well our mouths are full of bacteria that build up on our teeth in a sticky layer called plaque. These bacteria digest some of the sugar in our foods and drinks and form acids which can weaken the tooth and the enamel, (which is the hard outer layer of a tooth). If this acid stays on our teeth for a long time, it can cause areas of the tooth to decay. This can also happen if children consume sugary foods or drinks too often and they do not clean their teeth properly
Dental Erosion is different as it is the gradual wearing away of the tooth enamel on the surface of the tooth. It is caused by acid attacking the surface if the tooth. These acids come from drinks such as fruit juice, fizzy drinks and squashes – even the sugar-free varieties! Today these drinks are so popular that more than half of the 5 year olds in the UK have some dental erosion.
Acid is also produced if a child vomits or has stomach problems, so this is something to look out for.
How can children’s teeth be protected?
The best way to protect children’s teeth is to take them to the dentist from an early age – this way they will get into the routine of going to the dentist and become familiar and comfortable with the surroundings. They may even get a sticker for going and learn to enjoy the experience rather than dread it! Dentists will recommend suitable time intervals for check-ups, which will probably be more frequent for children than adults, as the milk teeth are smaller and have thinner enamel than permanent adult teeth.
Tooth Brushing
Parents should start cleaning their children’s teeth as soon as they come through at 6 months and you can buy special tooth brushes for children and babies.
Tooth brushing should be a regular activity, after breakfast and before bedtime so that it simply becomes part of a child’s daily routine. When teaching children to brush their own teeth its best to teach them to start and finish at the same point; starting at the back of the mouth and working round with small circular motions is best. Don’t forget that the insides of the teeth need to be brushed too, so make sure they go round the inside of their teeth too.
Most toothpastes now contain fluoride which strengthen the tooth enamel and help prevent them from decaying. So its best to choose this type of toothpaste and apply a small pea sized amount to your child’s toothbrush and help them brush their teeth properly, until they are old enough to do it themselves and can reach the sink!
The effect of Sugary Foods
Reducing the sugar in a child’s diet is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. The main problem is how often a child eats sugary or acidic products – not how much is consumed. Frequent snacking on sugary foods increases the chance of the teeth being damaged as they encourage acidic conditions in the mouth for long periods of time which allows an increased time for erosion and decay to occur.
Squashes, fizzy drinks, natural fruit juices, sweets and cakes should not be given to children too frequently. Neither should sugary foods and drinks between meals as snacks or before bedtime. Also watch out for hidden sugars in sauces and breakfast cereals when shopping as these will cause damage to the milk teeth.
Snacking and Teeth
Yes there are several tasty snacks that won’t damage the teeth such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and milk, as they contain natural sugars. However it’s good to remember that as well as natural sugar fruit contains acid and this can cause decay if eaten in large amounts.
Sticky or chewy foods should really be avoided as they remain in the mouth for longer and can get stuck between the teeth. If this happens acid production will continue in this area and if this happens often could cause the tooth to decay. So it’s best to eat more fresh fruits than dried fruits and avoid sweets.
Preventing Tooth Damage via the Diet
Older children can chew sugar free gum after meals as this prevents tooth decay by encouraging the production of salvia which neutralises the acid in the mouth. Also foods containing wholegrains or even snacking on raw vegetables can prevent damage to teeth as they increase saliva production which protects the teeth.
The Best Drinks…
Plain water and milk does not cause tooth decay or erosion, so if your child regularly has sweet drinks try to wean them off these and try healthier alternatives. It may take a while for them to get used to these but they will over time.
Bottle Feeding and Dummies – your questions answered…
Yes. Most babies feed from a bottle at some stage in their lives either from birth or along with breastfeeding. This is fine but there are some simple guidelines from the British Dietetic Association.
- Only put milk or water in your babies bottle
- Do not be tempted to put fruit juices in their bottle as the acid can attack their teeth and drinking this from a bottle means the liquid is in the mouth for longer.
- Don’t be tempted to use even weak squash, as this can damage a babies teeth. Just stick with milk or water.
Dummies can damage the way teeth develop as can sucking a thumb or finger, so try to prevent children doing this, as then they won’t need a brace when they are older. Never be tempted to dip a child’s dummy in sugar, fruit juice or syrup as this will expose the teeth to sugar for long periods of time, damaging teeth but it will also make the dummy more appealing and a hard habit to break!
For more information visit the British Dental Health Foundation.