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DENTAL HEALTH…BACK TO SCHOOL CHECK-UPS
By Dr. Neromini Fagu
Soon children will be heading back to school and part of the school preparation checklist
includes buying uniforms, school supplies and textbooks. But parents should also include a trip to the dentist for a check-up and cleaning for their child.
Good oral hygiene is not only about having a good smile, but children who have good oral hygiene will generally be healthier and happier than children who have dental issues. Many parents don’t place a lot of emphasis on oral care for children because they believe the baby teeth would be replaced by adult teeth anyway. However, there are many benefits of regular check-ups and cleaning.
1. Cavity Prevention
The soft film that builds up on your teeth is called plaque and is the leading cause of tooth decay. When the plaque is not removed it also hardens into tartar which cannot be removed by simply brushing and you need to visit your dentist for a professional cleaning.
2. Stopping Tooth Loss
Tooth decay that is not detected early may not be restorable with fillings. When you have regular check-ups your dentist will be able to compare the progress of any disease since your last dental visit and provide preventative or restorative treatment.
3. Reducing Pain
Dental caries is a common health problem for many children. These caries can make it painful for a child to eat and can even make it difficult for the child to concentrate in school and enjoy daily activities. However, by thoroughly brushing, flossing and seeing a dentist at regular intervals, a child will be able to eliminate or reduce dental caries and prevent many of the sources of dental pain.
4. Saving Money
Corrective dental care can be expensive so parents should ensure that their children are practicing good oral hygiene habits to keep teeth clean and healthy. Preventing dental issues through brushing, flossing and regular dental visits will cost far less than dealing with cavities and other dental problems. This is especially true with some largely preventable dental problems such as gum disease and early tooth loss that can result in misaligned teeth that will require expensive corrective treatment.
5. Benefit Overall Health
In addition to preventing tooth decay, proper dental care will also help to protect a child from becoming ill. Dental caries and other oral health problems can expose a child’s body to a range of germs from the environment. Though the body has defences for swallowed or inhaled germs, germs that enter the mouth can go directly into the blood stream via sores in the mouth. By practicing good oral hygiene, a child will have a healthier mouth that can help prevent germs from entering into the body.
6. Creating Important Habits
Though a young child’s primary teeth will be replaced by permanent adult teeth, parents still need to begin teaching children from a young age about proper dental hygiene. If you start your child’s dental visit at an early age, the more comfortable they will become and the less likely they may need one of the “scary” procedures.
Dental care should be one of the top priorities for children. A child who learns to care for his or her teeth early in life will be more likely to practice good hygiene habits later in life which would result in fewer dental problems.
For more information contact OMNI DENTAL at 295 Quamina Street, Georgetown Tel: 227-0025, Parika Tel: 260-3133 or send emails to [email protected].
For a limited time at OMNI DENTAL students and teachers will be given a discounted price for their cleaning and polishing.
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