DENTAL HEALTH: School’s out - Don’t let their dental health suffer

DENTAL HEALTH: School’s out – Don’t let their dental health suffer

Jul 17, 2016 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu

This week marks the beginning of the long awaited school vacation for most children. It is a time for sleeping in late, playing with friends and of course constant snacking with all the ongoing activities.
It is also a time when dental health is often neglected because the normal schedule that is followed during the academic year is now relaxed.
So, it is not uncommon for them to forget to brush twice a day. At this time, it is very important that proper diet and oral hygiene are maintained. It is easy for children to deviate for the normal oral hygiene regimen but this will increase their risk of tooth decay.
Schedule a Dental Check-up
During the vacation period it is a good idea to schedule a check-up with your dentist. Yes, you may have two months to do it but if there are dental issues that need addressing it is always better to tackle them sooner than later.
Some treatments may require more than one visit so you may need to schedule the visits accordingly so that they don’t interfere with any planned trips.
Also, you don’t want to be on vacation far away only to have your children complain of a toothache. This would make your vacation memorable but for the wrong reason.
Drink lots of Water
With all their activities, kids will need to be hydrated. As always, the best option is water. Carbonated drinks like colas, sports drinks and fruit juices all have acids that can be harmful to their teeth especially if they are constantly sipping these beverages.
In addition to keeping your childrenhydrated, water will help to rinse away food particles and increase saliva production in their mouths which will help to prevent tooth decay.
Use Mouthguards
Vacations include a lot of sporting activities and some of these can have a direct impact on your children’s teeth. You should be vigilant as to what sports will predispose your children to dental trauma.
The use of a mouthguard will help to protect your children from injuries to their teeth. Some sports are obvious candidates for mouthguardsbut others are not so obvious. It is safe to say your children will not need a mouthguard if they are playing cricket or tennis but other sports, especially contact sports are a concern.
Change Toothbrush
Your child’s toothbrush should be changed on average every three to four months and sooner if you notice that it has become frayed or unable to brush properly.
Now might be a good time to take your child to pick out a toothbrush. Hopefully, choosing their own toothbrush might encourage them to practice good oral hygiene.
Maintaining good oral hygiene from a young age is essential if you want your child to keep their teeth for a long time. This vacation period is an opportune time to ensure that their dental health is in order.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to nerominifagu@hotmail.com.

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