To stay away from annoying childhood tooth decay, don’t just control sugar intake, these 3 things are more important!

Tooth decay, a seemingly common problem, actually brings a lot of trouble to many families. Especially among children, tooth decay is becoming more and more serious due to bad living habits and oral hygiene habits. When facing this problem, many parents first think of controlling sugar intake. However, controlling sugar alone is far from enough. This article will take you to understand the causes and preventive measures of children's tooth decay. Let us discuss how to effectively stay away from annoying children's tooth decay.

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1. Causes of dental caries in children

1. Poor oral hygiene habits: Children may not know how to brush and floss properly, or they may not pay attention to good oral hygiene habits. This will cause food particles, bacteria and acidic substances to accumulate on the surface of the teeth, eventually causing tooth decay problems.

2. High-sugar diet: Children like to eat high-sugar diet, such as candy, chocolate, sweet drinks, etc. The sugar in these foods is the main nutrient source for bacteria. Bacteria metabolize sugar to produce acidic substances, which erode the tooth surface and cause tooth decay.

3. Lack of fluoride: Fluoride is very important for preventing tooth decay, as it makes tooth enamel more resistant to corrosion and acid. If there is not enough fluoride in drinking water or toothpaste, children are susceptible to tooth decay.

4. Spread of bacterial infection: The spread of bacteria is also one of the causes of dental caries in children. When a family member has dental caries or oral infection in the mouth, the bacteria may be spread to other family members through saliva, causing children to suffer from dental caries.

5. Problems with tooth enamel structure: Some children may be born with weak tooth enamel, which is easily eroded by acidic substances and causes tooth decay.

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2. How to prevent tooth decay in children

1. Control sugar intake:

(1) Control the intake of sweets and candies: Sweets and candies are the main sources of sugar, and parents should limit their children's intake of these foods. It is recommended that children rinse their mouths immediately after eating to reduce the corrosion of teeth by acidic substances in the mouth.

(2) Choose foods with low sugar content: Parents can choose some foods with low sugar content for their children, such as fruits and vegetables. These foods can not only provide nutrition, but also reduce sugar intake.

(3) Appropriate use of sugar substitutes: Some sugar substitutes can replace sugar, such as xylitol, stevia, etc. Appropriate consumption of these sugar substitutes can reduce sugar intake.

2. Develop good oral hygiene habits:

(1) Brush your teeth in the morning and evening: Brushing your teeth is one of the important measures to prevent tooth decay. Brushing your teeth in the morning and evening can remove bacteria and food debris on the surface of the teeth, prevent bacteria from forming plaque on the surface of the teeth, and thus prevent the occurrence of tooth decay. It is recommended to use a toothbrush and toothpaste specially designed for children, and brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes.

(2) Rinse your mouth after meals: Rinse your mouth after meals can reduce the time food residues stay in the mouth, prevent bacteria from multiplying on the surface of the teeth, and thus prevent the occurrence of caries. It is recommended that children rinse their mouths immediately after eating to keep their mouths clean.

(3) Regular teeth cleaning: Teeth cleaning is one of the important measures to remove plaque and tartar on the tooth surface. It is recommended that children go to the dentist for teeth cleaning regularly to keep their mouths clean.

(4) Use dental floss correctly: Dental floss can remove food debris and bacteria between teeth, prevent bacteria from multiplying between teeth, and thus prevent the occurrence of caries. It is recommended that children use dental floss to clean the gaps between teeth after eating.

3. Reasonable arrangement of diet structure:

(1) Increase the intake of vegetables and fruits: Vegetables and fruits are rich in fiber and vitamins, which can clean the mouth, promote saliva secretion, and increase the pH of the mouth, thereby preventing the occurrence of tooth decay. It is recommended that children eat enough vegetables and fruits every day.

(2) Ensure protein intake: Protein is the main component of teeth. Lack of protein will affect the development and strength of teeth. It is recommended that children eat an appropriate amount of protein foods every day, such as fish, meat, eggs, milk, etc.

(3) Appropriately control the intake of refined grains: Refined grains such as white rice and white flour contain high sugar content. Excessive intake will increase the risk of dental caries. It is recommended to appropriately control the intake of refined grains and increase the intake of coarse grains, such as whole wheat bread and brown rice.

4. Have regular oral examinations:

(1) Regular oral examination frequency: It is recommended to have regular oral examinations, such as once every 6 months or 1 year. This helps to detect and deal with potential caries problems in a timely manner and prevent further development of caries. If the child already has caries, the examination frequency should be increased according to the doctor's advice.

(2) Contents of oral examination: Oral examination includes routine examination, tooth growth, periodontal disease and other aspects. Routine examination includes examination of tooth color, shape, texture and other aspects to detect potential caries problems.

5. Use fluoride to prevent tooth decay: Fluoride is a natural anti-caries agent that can inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria and reduce the corrosion of teeth by acidic substances in the mouth, thereby preventing the occurrence of tooth decay.

(1) Use fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste is one of the most commonly used methods to prevent tooth decay. It is recommended that children use children's fluoride toothpaste and brush their teeth twice a day, with each brushing time not less than 2 minutes.

(2) Use fluoride mouthwash regularly: Fluoride mouthwash can provide a higher fluoride concentration, which directly acts on bacteria in the mouth and the surface of the teeth. It is recommended that children use fluoride mouthwash regularly under the advice of a doctor.

6. Develop good living habits:

(1) Increase outdoor activities: Outdoor activities can help children exercise, enhance immunity, and also help oral health. It is recommended that children do appropriate outdoor activities every day.

(2) Increase oral exercises: Oral exercises can exercise the chewing muscles and promote tooth development. They can also increase saliva secretion and help clean the mouth. It is recommended that children frequently perform oral exercises such as chewing and tongue exercises.

(3) Ensure adequate sleep: Adequate sleep is helpful for physical recovery and oral health. It is recommended that children get enough sleep every day.

(4) Brushing teeth before bed: Brushing teeth before bed can remove bacteria and food debris on the surface of teeth and reduce the growth of bacteria in the mouth. It is recommended that children brush their teeth before going to bed.

(5) Maintain emotional stability: Emotional fluctuations may lead to decreased immunity and increase the risk of dental caries. Parents are advised to pay attention to their children’s emotional state and help them adjust their emotions in a timely manner.

In short, preventing children's tooth decay needs to start from multiple aspects. Only comprehensive and scientific prevention of tooth decay can make children have healthy teeth.

References

[1] Ma Ying. Analysis of related factors of dental caries in children aged 3 to 6 years old[J]. Journal of Shandong Medical College, 2023, 45(05): 370-371.

[2] Li Yue, Lv Xuwei, Lv Guancheng. Analysis of the incidence and influencing factors of dental caries in school-age children[J]. Chinese Journal of Maternal and Child Health, 2023, 38(17): 3316-3319.

[3] Liu Chengjing. To prevent dental caries in children, fluoride should be used rationally [J]. Family Medicine. Happy Health, 2023(07):66-67.