हिंदी
CHANDIGARH
Cavities take the form of bacteria which gets infected in the tooth due to the leftover food in the mouth after eating which do not get brushed away properly. Acid collects on a tooth, softening its enamel until a hole or forms like a cavity, explained the health experts.
Even toddlers can get tooth decay as most of the parents put a milk bottle into a sleeping kid’s mouth and this procedure harms a baby’s teeth.
More often the reasons for the tooth decay are over sweetened beverages, juices, or milk that stay on a baby’s teeth for a long duration. This can lead to “bottle mouth” or “baby bottle tooth decay”, said the health experts.
Due to the above-mentioned causes, the teeth of the kids get contaminated; especially the front teeth get discoloured, pocked, and pitted. Cavities formed in the teeth get treated but it causes pain and harm to the other teeth and, in serious cases, the decayed teeth might need to be removed.
A child getting 6 months old should switch from a bottle to a sippy cup having a straw. Because these methods help prevent liquid from pooling around a child’s teeth.
Some habits which a parent should indulge in their child routine are listed below which are important for their good.
Oral habits: As a parent, it’s your sole responsibility to teach your kids the basic oral habits to prevent tooth diseases. There is a need to brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly as it will strengthen the tooth.
Fluoride is a must: Experts suggest that regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate. Although many towns require tap water to be fluoridated, others don’t. However, many of the toothpaste have fluoride ingredients but the toothpaste solely cannot protect the child’s teeth. A point to remember fluoride is good but not in excess as it can lead to discolouration.
Avoid some foods: Excess amounts of sugar in the food or the beverages should be avoided especially sticky gummy candies, gummy vitamins, or the marshmallows that can erode enamel and be the reason for the cavities. Once in a while if your kid eats these items then tell your kid to rinse your mouth immediately or brush their teeth before going to bed as it avoids the damage to the tooth.
Rinse after meals– Teach your child to rinse their mouth after every meal so that the leftover food or any kind of food particles stuck into the teeth gets washed off.
Limit citrus food– Avoid the citrus food consumption of the toddlers as the citric acid can change the colour of the teeth at such a young and growing age.
Some fruits which are good for the health and the teeth of the children as they contain fibre and the nutrients are: melons, cucumbers, apples and pears.
