CARING FOR YOUR CHILD’S ENAMEL

Apr 30, 2017 News

By Dr. Neromini Fagu
As adults, we are told the correct way to brush our teeth in order to remove plaque and food particles, as well as to avoid damage to our teeth and gums. However, sometimes things are easier said than done and while this applies to many adults, it is even more difficult for children. Let us face it, not many children look forward to brushing their teeth, and even when they do brush, it is something of which they make very quick work.
While it is important to employ good oral hygiene habits, it is necessary to ensure the correct practices are being taken. The techniques learned during childhood play an important role in adulthood. For example stopping overly aggressive brushing actions can have beneficial consequences later in life. The outer protective layer of our teeth, the enamel, needs to be cared for in order to avoid sensitive teeth later. The following are some tips for avoiding enamel loss when brushing teeth in childhood.
Vigorous Brushing
The zest and zeal that we put into brushing our teeth can sometimes be harmful, as the number one self-inflicted cause of worn enamel is brushing too hard. Children tend to want to get the job done quickly and the most efficient way for them is to brush in a back and forth motion. After all, this is probably how they see others around them doing it as well as seeing it on television and in the movies.
However, this method of brushing is not kind to your enamel nor to the soft tissues of your gum. Over time, the continuous application of friction wears away both the tooth structure and gum tissue. It is important to note that forceful brushing does not necessarily translate to clean brushing. The best way is to brush gently and in a circular motion, aiming the head of the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle toward the base of the gums.
Frequent Brushing
You might think that brushing every time you eat something is good as it removes food particles from your teeth and mouth thereby staving off the potential for dental diseases, but that is not always the best course of action. While it is ideal to brush three times a day after meals, any more than that and your child might end up doing more harm than good.
Children love to snack constantly, a habit which can potentially be detrimental to their pearly whites. However, instead of brushing constantly throughout the day, you should encourage your children to rinse their mouths with water after snacking.
Using a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff
The stiffness of the bristles is an important feature of a toothbrush, as bristles that are too firm can be damaging to enamel and gum tissue in much the same way as brushing too vigorously can be. That is why most dentists will recommend either soft or extra-soft bristles on a toothbrush, because it’s the technique that really matters and not the force of the brushing, nor the firmness of the bristles.
Use an age appropriate toothbrush
Toothbrushes are available in a variety of sizes for children. The dimensions usually correspond with the age of the child. The toothbrush we use should always fit our mouth, and for the growing mouths of children that brush size is going to change until they reach adulthood.
Finger brushes work well for infants and are extra soft. After this stage they can graduate to a regular toothbrush that has a toddler-sized head. As your child grows, the toothbrush head usually gets a little larger to accommodate the reach to the teeth at the back of the mouth.
Saving your child’s tooth enamel from slowly “disappearing” from their teeth is very simple to avoid, and with the above tips you pretty much have all you need to keep them on the right path. Some of the tips are even applicable to adults as well.

For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].

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CARING FOR YOUR CHILD’S ENAMEL

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