Tiny Teeth Matter. Simple steps to looking after your child s first set of teeth

Transcription

1 Tiny Teeth Matter Simple steps to looking after your child s first set of teeth

2 Section 1 Join us in our tiny teeth campaign Section 2 Why you should care about tiny teeth Section 3 What causes early childhood decay? Section 4 Simple steps to preventing early childhood decay Section 5 How to spot dental problems early Section 6 Further Reading - 2 -

3 Section 1 Join the tiny teeth campaign In children aged 5-6 years, nearly half of them have tooth decay in several teeth (48.7%) (source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report). Tooth decay is one of the most common childhood diseases. Preventing tooth decay in young children is essential. When left untreated it s painful, can lead to infection and tooth loss in extreme cases. T I N Y T E E T H There s good news! With the right tools and knowledge, you can take steps to reduce the chances of your child developing decay. We ve created this guide to help parents like you understand your child s oral health needs. You ll have the information needed to put in place a prevention routine. M A T T E R T L C A M P A I G N D E N T A L At TL Dental, our Tiny Teeth Matter campaign is part of our mission reduce the rate of childhood tooth decay. Join us in our Tiny Teeth Matter awareness campaign. Together we can fight early childhood decay. Dr Diane Tay Dr Teresa Li Dr Tay is a registered Specialist Paediatric Dentist in the Port Macquarie community. Dr Tay also works at the Children s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney where she manages a range of cases including the caring for special needs and medically compromised children, oral medicine and dental trauma in children Dr Li originally from Melbourne is now a Port Macquarie local through and through. Having moved up over 9 years ago with her husband Dr Leigh Jiang they quickly fell in love with Port Macquarie s community spirit, warm weather and spectacular lifestyle. As both a mother and a dentist Teresa s passionate about stopping dental problems in tiny teeth.

4 Section 2 Why you should care about tiny teeth There s a misconception that baby teeth don t require care because they ll eventually all fall out. Even so, it s important to look after baby teeth and keep bacteria levels in tiny mouths under control to prevent decay. If your two year old loses a tooth to decay, it could be four or five years before their adult tooth comes through. For a back tooth, it could be eight years before a replacement arrives. That s a long time to be missing a tooth! In total, we have 20 baby teeth by the age of around six. Here s a chart that shows when to expect each tooth. There are no hard and fast rules. Every child is unique so don t panic if your child s teeth come in later or earlier. Upper Teeth Tooth Erupts Tooth Lost Central incisor 8-12 months 6-7 years Lateral incisor 9-13 months 7-8 years Canine months years 1st Molar months 9-11 years 2nd Molar months years Lower Teeth Tooth Erupts Tooth Lost 2nd Molar months years 1st Molar months 9-11 years Canine months 9-12 years Lateral incisor months 7-8 years Central incisor 6-10 months 6-7 years - 4 -

5 Primary functions of baby teeth Aid eating nutritious food for healthy growth and development A varied diet rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein promotes healthy growth. Chewing food can be difficult when teeth are missing. A child with tooth decay may have pain and discomfort, making it difficult to eat and limiting the variety of food in their diet. Insufficient chewing from tooth decay can also increase chances of choking or stomach upset. Guides for adult teeth Baby teeth act as placeholders for adult teeth. When a baby tooth falls out, the neighbouring teeth may drift closer together and close in on that space. This movement may result in the adult tooth coming in crooked. Speech development Our teeth together with our lips and tongue help us to make certain sounds. Especially th words like think, thirsty, and teeth. These sounds require the tongue to touch the back of our front teeth. Try saying thirtythree thirsty thieves but don t let your tongue touch the back of your teeth. Not so easy, right? Teeth play a vital role in our verbal ability. Healthy jaw development A hidden consequence of losing teeth is bone loss in our jaws. The bone that surrounds and houses our teeth needs stimulation from chewing to maintain density. When we lose a tooth, that part of our jaw doesn t get the stimulation it needs to stay vibrant. This impacts healthy jaw growth

6 Section 3 What Causes Early Childhood Decay? Baby teeth, like adult ones, can develop a sticky film called plaque as a result of bacteria in the mouth. Plaque-causing bacteria loves to feed off sugar and simple carbohydrates. It creates acids that weaken tooth enamel and cause decay. Sugar isn t only present in sweet treats. There are plenty of foods with natural sugars, including fruit, breastmilk and formula. Dental plaque build-up is normal, but we need to wage war on bacteria with regular brushing. Now let s see how tooth decay starts and how it progresses The tooth is an amazing thing. It has three layers: enamel, dentine and pulp. The enamel is the most robust substance in the human body. Unfortunately, enamel is not indestructible. Small holes can develop in the enamel with extended exposure to acid. Left untreated decay can spread to the dentine which is much softer than enamel. Bacteria works through the soft dentine to the pulp where the nerve tissues and blood vessels are housed. An infected pulp creates a painful toothache. With bacteria in the blood of the pulp, an infection is likely to develop and possible abscesses

7 With each stage of decay progression, it becomes tougher to treat. Preventing the initial hole in the enamel is ideal. However, should decay happen, the next best thing is to treat it quickly to stop the progress to the pulp. What causes tooth decay? A combination of factors lead to unhappy tiny teeth: Bacteria in our mouths feed off the simple sugars from the foods we eat Not brushing regularly Over time we may get decay

8 Section 4 Simple steps to preventing early childhood decay Tiny teeth are extremely important, and we want to protect them from decay. Let s dive into the three pillars of a prevention plan. Daily Oral Hygiene Routine Fights the bacteria build-up Tooth Friendly Diet Stops excessive exposure to acid attack on teeth Regular Dental Checkups Prevent & Treat decay early before it spreads - 8 -

9 Oral hygiene guide for Babies & Toddler s From the moment their first teeth emerge until they are old enough to brush and floss on their own, you play a key part in your child s dental routine. Up to 6 months (or first tooth) Even before your child s first teeth appear at around the six-month mark, cleaning your baby s mouth is recommended after feeds. Cleaning removes liquid and food. You can do this using a sterile piece of gauze or cloth to wipe the gums before settling them in for the night. When their first baby teeth appear, it s time to start brushing. You can brush your infant s teeth by sitting or laying them on your lap and gently brushing while supporting their head. You ll want to ease your child into this new activity. Like everything, it will take practice. Start with 30-second sessions and slowly increase brushing time to 2 minutes. As your child gets older and starts walking, this daily routine can be incorporated with fun activities. You can play their favourite song or merge it into bath time. Children respond well to routine, so it s essential to establish one early. Over time your child will start to see brushing as entirely normal. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle and clean the teeth in a gentle circular motion. Make sure you brush all the tooth surfaces: top, front, outside and inside. As the back teeth emerge, take extra care to clean the top surface grooves. Food can sometimes get stuck in this top area. How often should I brush my baby s teeth? Twice a day is ideal. Once after breakfast and then again after their last meal. Don t forget to not only clean the teeth but also gently clean the gums, too

10 Choosing the right children s toothbrush Select a toothbrush specially designed for children. These usually have a small head and soft, rounded bristles that massage teeth and gums gently. Most supermarkets stock toothbrushes for children. You ll typically find toothbrushes in an assortment of fun colours or theme characters. After brushing, clean the toothbrush by rinsing it with water and hanging it up to dry. Best toothpaste for babies It s best to brush with plain water up to the age of 18 months. After this, you may use a children s low fluoride toothpaste. Start with a small smear to get your child used to the taste. Then, you can use a pea-sized amount. Now, here comes the fun part! At this stage, you can start teaching your child how to spit out the toothpaste after brushing. This new skill will take some practice. At first, you can wipe the excess toothpaste with a clean cloth or tissue. There s no need to rinse your baby s mouth after brushing. Should I floss too? As more teeth erupt and start to touch each other, it is a good idea to introduce flossing. Food can get trapped between baby teeth and cause bacteria to accumulate. You can use traditional floss, but if you find it difficult try ones that have small handles. Ask your dentist for advice on how to floss your toddler s teeth correctly. First tooth 18 months Time: 2 mins Frequency: 2x daily Use: Plain water After 18 months Time: 2 mins Frequency: 2x daily Use: Low-fluoride toothpaste Did you know that bacteria can be transferred? Don t share toothbrushes or take food from your mouth and give to your child. If you have active decay and are not aware of it, the bacteria can transfer to your child s mouth

11 Nursing Bottle Decay, what you can do. Paediatric dentists like to see babies give up the bottle as soon as possible. There s an alarming number of toddlers with Nursing Bottle Decay. Nursing your baby to sleep with a bottle or breastfeed is common, yet, this can contribute to decay. Bacteria in the mouth feasts overnight on milk sugars leaving your baby s teeth exposed to acids for hours. Dos Give up the baby bottle by 12 months. Introduce a toddler cup as early as possible to wean them from the bottle. Avoid Breast or bottle feeding throughout the day or night once your child is over 12 months. Speak to your maternal or child health care adviser if your baby still needs an overnight feed Nursing your baby to sleep or allowing them to fall asleep with a milk bottle Don t allow your child to take a bottle of milk (or other sugary drink) to bed. Instead, provide a cup of water. If your baby needs soothing, try offering a dummy rather than a bottle. Dietary habits for healthy tiny teeth You can help prevent decay in your child s teeth by making healthy food choices and minimising the negative impact of the occasional sweet treat. The foods we eat play a huge role in decay development. Acid producing bacteria that lives in our mouth loves to feast on simple carbohydrates. Frequent exposure to these foods can expose your child to tooth decay

12 Here are some of the most common foods to minimise or better still avoid in your child s diet: Fizzy soft drinks, including sugar-free versions Fruit juice Sports drinks as they contain high amounts of sugar Cake, biscuits, muesli bars, doughnuts etc. Sugary cereals Packet chips and other chip like treats Lollies especially the very chewy ones that will stick to the teeth longer Natural dried fruit or processed fruit rolls as they stick to teeth Navigating food choices can be tricky. That s why it pays to check food labels and look out for hidden sugars. Seemingly healthy packaged foods may contain lots of sugar. Some healthy snack options include: Fresh Fruit Vegetable sticks Cheese What we eat and the frequency we consume food can cause decay. Limit your snacks to twice daily. Frequent snacking between meals doesn t give your saliva the time it needs to wash away food. Snacking also provides a constant source of food for bacteria to feed on which leads to plaque and decay

13 There will be times like birthday parties and special events when it s likely your child will consume sometimes foods. Minimise the negative impact of sometimes food by: Serving treats with meals not as standalone snacks, e.g. a small serve of ice-cream after dinner, not as an afternoon treat Opting for ice-cream or frozen yoghurt instead of sticky lollies that don t easily wash away Using a straw if you give your child a small amount of soft drink to avoid the liquid bathing the front teeth Giving your child ample water after a treat to help it wash down and away from the teeth. Avoid bottled water as this does not contain fluoride. Getting regular dental check-ups The Australian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recommends initially taking your baby to the dentist around the time of their first birthday. This first check-up allows the dentist to check the development of your child s first set of teeth. It eases your child into the routine of visiting the dentist, and they ll be less likely to be afraid. This creates healthy dental habits they can take to adulthood. Starting dentist visits early comes as a surprise to many parents. It s worth remembering that decay and cavities can appear on teeth, regardless of age. The first visit helps identify if your child has risk factors and to create a prevention plan. Equally important is the time to discuss and show parents how to perform and put in place a hygiene routine. Parents like to learn about brushing and flossing techniques they can use with their children. Most modern dental practices provide childfriendly environments including TVs for videos, brightly coloured walls and toys to create an experience that kids enjoy!

14 Section 5 How to spot dental problems Signs of early decay Get into the habit of checking your toddler s mouth for any early warning signs of decay. Do this by lifting your child s lips under good light and look for discolouration in the teeth. Early decay may be treated with a preventative resin and then a sealant. This resin is a tooth-coloured material which is virtually invisible. Acid Wear Acid wear is the term used to describe the loss of tooth enamel from the acid in certain foods and drinks. When the enamel wears down the dentine exposed, and this can be painful. Highly acidic food items include: All fizzy soft drinks (even if they are sugar-free!) Fruit juices Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and grapefruit Pickles & Vinegar Acidic foods don t pose a problem when consumed moderately. Soft drinks are a major source of tooth erosion in children especially when consumed regularly. Stomach acids cause erosion when your child vomits or regurgitates food frequently. This type of erosion attacks the back-tooth surfaces first exposing the dentine. If you have concerns your child may be bringing up their food, consult your family doctor or dentist. Dry Mouth Some children will suffer from xerostomia which is the medical term for dry mouth. As saliva plays an integral part in neutralising plaque acids from the foods we eat, a dry mouth is more at risk of decay. Dry mouth most commonly occurs as a side effect of particular illnesses, making it rare in children. Nonetheless, it s worth being on the lookout for some of these signs:

15 Child complaining their mouth is burning or tingling Frequent thirst Sticky, dry feeling in the mouth Sores in the mouth, cracked lips or split skin at the corners of the mouth Dry, red tongue If your child is physically active, make sure there is an adequate intake of fresh tap water, especially during sports to keep hydration levels up. Mouth Breathing Mouth breathing in children is not uncommon and is mostly related to obstructed airways. You should not be able to hear and see your child breathing, especially when they are sleeping. It should be a rather quiet affair. Mouth breathing is often associated to snoring and sleep apnoea later in life. It can also lead to poor sleep, jaw malformation, poor bite, tiredness and poor attention. Common causes of mouth breathing: Deviated septum. When the cartilage of our nose moves the nose to one side. This is common in people with narrow upper jaws. Gentle expansion of the upper jaw at a young age can often correct this problem. Allergies. The membranes in our nose swell and inflame as a reaction to substances in the environment. Hay fever, dust mites, animal fur and even some grasses and pollens can cause allergic reactions. Tonsils and adenoids. Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can be a cause of mouth breathing, in some cases, it may be advised to have these removed. Signs of mouth breathing: Dry lips Open mouth at rest Dry mouth Red gums & possible decay Long and narrow face Narrow, high palate Lack of spacing between baby teeth or crowded adult teeth Large looking tonsils General tiredness, dark circles under the eyes Your family dentist or Paediatric Dentist can help you better understand mouth breathing. They can also identify if your child is exhibiting signs of it. With early treatment, there s an excellent chance your child s jaw will develop normally

16 Section 6 Further Reading Australian Dental Association Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry The Child Dental Benefits Schedule Department of Human Services Victoria Dr Diane Tay FIRST EDITION: OCTOBER 2017 TL DENTAL, PORT MACQUARIE 3/94 William Street, Port Macquarie 02 3/ William 4055 Street, Port Macquarie Follow us on and Follow us on and Disclaimer All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the authors, nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it s published. Modification of this design doesn t void the copyright. Disclaimer: All information presented in this book is for informational purposes only. To the authors knowledge, this information is current and based on accepted evidence based research. This book is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is not intended to be a substitute or replacement for seeking advice from a suitably qualified medical or dental professional. Please seek the advice of a healthcare professional for your specific health concerns. Individual results may vary