Healthy teeth, beautiful smiles
Going to the dentist wouldn’t literally be like pulling teeth, if parents started inculcating good oral hygiene habits in their children from young.
SITI Rose Khairina Tay is not scared of dentists nor intimidated by dental instruments like mouth mirrors and periodontal probes.
She is only three years old and has visited the dentist four times, probably more times than most children twice her age.
Unlike most Malaysian parents, Siti Rose’s mother Dr Siti Salmiah Awang started teaching her children about oral hygiene almost as soon as they had teeth.
When Siti Rose was just a year old, her mother taught her how to brush her teeth and started taking her for her bi-annual dental check ups.
“Oral care in children is vital from the moment their teeth start to erupt at about six months. It prevents early caries development and avoids other abnormal conditions concerning teeth development,” says Dr Siti Salmiah, 45.
At home, the PJ-based family physician gets her five daughters – aged three to 12 – to brush their teeth twice a day.
Toothbrushes are replaced every six months (or sooner) to ensure the bristles are in good condition. She is slowly training her girls to get into the habit of flossing.
Siti Rose and her sisters undergo dental check-ups every six months. Their mother says dental visits help the girls familiarise themselves with dentists and dental clinics.
“I encourage my girls to build a closer rapport with these medical professionals. At the clinic, the nurses teach them about the do’s and don’ts about oral care too. They have become so at ease with dentists and don’t mind going for regular check-ups,” says Dr Siti Salmiah.
Oral care is one of the important foundations for healthy permanent teeth. Therefore, it is essential to establish a proper oral hygiene routine early in life to help ensure the development of strong and healthy teeth.
Mother-of-one Prof Ammu Kutty G.K.Radhakrishnan thinks children should be taught that dentists are “superheroes” who help protect their pearly whites. Six years ago, her daughter Akshainie developed a cavity in her tooth. Like most children, she was nervous about the dental visit, fearing her tooth would be extract ed.
“Thankfully, Akshainie’s dentist was trained to treat children. She was allowed to play on the dental chair as well as handle some of the safer instruments like hand-held mirror. After calming her down, the dentist started the check-up and the procedure went on with ease,” says Prof Ammu, 55, who takes Akshainie for dental checkups on a yearly basis.
The associate dean at a private medical university in KL added it was initially diffitrain cult to Akshainie to get into the routine of brushing her teeth regularly. But that changed after finding the suitable toothpaste and tooth brush.
“The toothpaste needs to have a pleasant taste that would encourage children to brush their teeth.
“It is equally vital that the ingredients in children’s toothpaste are safe and effective,” says Prof Ammu, who encourages her 10-year-old daughter to watch videos on oral hygiene on YouTube.
Akshanie’s dentist, IMU Oral Health Centre clinician in-charge Dr Hussein Al-Wakeel, says parents play an important role in instilling good oral care in their children.
“Parents, as consistent role models, are key to making their children understand the importance of oral hygiene.
“Tooth brushing should be presented as a habit and an integral part of the daily hygiene routine. Children are very sensitive to social stimuli such as praise and affection, and learn best by imitating their parents,” explains Dr Hussein, adding the foundation for healthy permanent teeth in children and teenagers is laid during the first years of life.
To avoid tooth decay, children should eat healthily, make smart food choices and practise good toothbrushing habits, Dr Hussein advises.
“Save treats like candy and cookies after mealtime, since this is when the amount of saliva produced is greater and helps protect children’s teeth.
“Flossing can help remove the candy particles. To make flossing fun, use flossers with your child’s favourite character,” says Dr Hussein, who encourages children to drink more water to help prevent tooth decay.