Survey of 1,000 Delhi parents says 60% kids brush once a day

NEWDELHI: Sixty per cent children in Delhi brush their teeth once a day instead of twice, which is recommended to prevent dental decay, shows a survey of 1,000 Delhi parents on early childhood oral health.

Most parents did not spend on preventive dental check-ups, with 82 per cent saying they took children to dentists only when there was a problem,found the survey of parents of children below 14 years who visited the Delhi government-run Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS) in March and April.

“For children, it is important to brush twice a day and go for a dental check-up every six months. The survey is proof that there is a tremendous lack of awareness among parents about dental health and oral hygiene,” said Dr Gyanendra Kumar, associate professor, department of pedodontics and preventive dentistry, MAIDS.

Around 85% of the parents interviewed did not know specific toothpaste varieties were availa- ble for children.

“Toothpastes for children should have less fluoride content as they are likely to swallow it. And since their teeth are delicate, they need toothpaste that is less abrasive,” said Dr Mahesh Verma, director, MAIDS.

Some of the most common causes of childhood cavities is bad diet and inadequate oral care. Eating fast food, snacks or treats that are high in carbohydrates and sugars frequently makes cavities grow. With good dental hygiene, tooth decay is nearly 100% preventable, say experts, so getting a dental check-up becomes is essential to identify and treat minor problems that can progress to serious dental and gum diseases.

“The findings of this survey will give us a direction to map the existing level of awareness on dental health among the parents and children and help us in planning necessary interventions,” said Dr Kumar. The report was released the first biennial threeday conference of the South Asian Association of Pediatric Dentistry that began in Delhi on Friday.