[Health Science] Do you know about children’s oral health knowledge?

In recent years, the incidence of dental caries and tooth deformities has increased among children, and the number of children seeking medical treatment for cavities, underbite, buck teeth, and uneven jaws has also increased. Both dental caries and tooth deformities can affect children's chewing, speech pronunciation, facial appearance, and can also lead to difficulties in social interaction.

Because before the deciduous teeth fall out, the tooth germs of the permanent teeth have already grown in the gums, and are located below the deciduous teeth. When the baby's deciduous teeth have decay, if they are not treated in time, as the decay becomes more and more serious, it will lead to abnormal eruption of the child's permanent teeth, such as early eruption, late eruption, uneven arrangement, and weak permanent teeth. Timely treatment is required. Here we have collected the children's oral health knowledge that parents are concerned about. Let's learn together!

About children's oral health knowledge

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Regular dental check-ups and timely treatment of oral diseases

Dental caries is a common oral disease in children, which can cause toothache, swelling of gums and face, and even systemic symptoms such as high fever. If dental caries is not treated for a long time, it can cause children to chew on one side, asymmetrical facial development on both sides, and affect the normal development and eruption of permanent teeth. Children are a high-risk group for oral diseases, and the disease develops rapidly. In order to timely understand the oral health status of children, detect oral problems early, and treat them early, children should have an oral health check every six months.

Get rid of bad oral habits as soon as possible to prevent dental and jaw deformities

Common bad oral habits among children, such as sucking fingers, sticking out tongue, biting lips, biting pencils, mouth breathing, night bruxism and unilateral chewing, can cause uneven teeth and even jaw deformities, and should be eliminated as soon as possible. For children with mouth breathing habits, their upper respiratory tract should be checked for patency, respiratory diseases should be treated, and mouth breathing should be corrected in time. If dental and jaw deformities are found during the period of primary teeth or the replacement of primary and permanent teeth, medical attention should be sought in time, and a dentist should examine and determine whether early correction is needed.

Eat right and protect your teeth

Regular intake of excessive sugary foods or drinking too much carbonated beverages can cause dental caries or tooth sensitivity. Children should eat and drink less carbonated beverages, reduce the frequency of sugar intake, drink water or tea after eating, and not eat after brushing their teeth before going to bed at night.

Pit and fissure sealing for children of appropriate age

Pit and fissure sealing for children is the most effective way to prevent pit and fissure caries. It is to fill the pits and fissures of teeth with polymer materials, so that the tooth surface becomes smooth and easy to clean, and bacteria are not easy to stay, thus preventing pit and fissure caries. Pit and fissure sealing is a non-invasive technology and does not cause pain. It is recommended to perform pit and fissure sealing on the first permanent molars (six-year molars) at the age of 6 to 8, and on the second permanent molars at the age of 11 to 13.

Oral cleaning should start from birth

After the baby is born, even if the baby has no teeth, parents should use soft gauze to clean the child's mouth every day. After the teeth erupt at about six months old, you can continue to use this method to clean the mouth and tooth surface. When multiple teeth erupt, parents can use a finger brush or a soft-bristled brush to brush the child's teeth twice a day and clean all tooth surfaces, especially those close to the gum line. It is recommended to use dental floss to help children clean the gaps between teeth.

Apply fluoride regularly every day using fluoride toothpaste

Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste is a safe and effective way to prevent caries. In areas where high-fluoride drinking water is not used, children under 3 years old should use a "rice grain"-sized amount each time, and children aged 3 to 6 years old should use a "pea grain"-sized amount each time. This should be done under the supervision of parents or teachers. Children can also go to the hospital for tooth fluoride coating every six months. Brushing teeth with a protective film, the fluoride in it is slowly released, and can prevent caries.

Learn to develop a habit of brushing your teeth

Children start learning to brush their teeth at around 2 years old. The most suitable brushing method for children is the "arc brushing method". The specific operation method is to place the bristles on the tooth surface, gently press to bend the bristles, and draw circles on the tooth surface. Repeat the circles for more than 5 times for each part. The toothbrush needs to be placed vertically on the inside of the front teeth, and all surfaces of the teeth should be brushed. Choose a children's toothbrush of appropriate size and replace it every two to three months. When the bristles of the toothbrush are turned outward or inverted, replace the toothbrush in time, and each person should brush one cup. Brush your teeth every morning and evening, and each brushing time should be no less than 2 minutes. Brushing your teeth before going to bed at night is more important. It is difficult for preschool children to complete delicate and complex brushing movements, and they need help and supervision from their parents.

Actively prevent dental trauma

When children participate in sports activities, they should wear sportswear and non-slip sports shoes with rubber soles to prevent falls and dental injuries. If necessary, they should wear protective equipment such as helmets and protective mouth guards. When riding in public transportation, they should fasten their seat belts. If a tooth is injured, they should go to the hospital as soon as possible.