Dental Health in Scotland

The first tooth….. It’s a pretty exciting milestone but make sure you look after those precious baby teeth. Whilst children may love losing teeth as the tooth fairy is extremely generous, the idea is to hang onto them until they are ready to fall out as they play an important role in helping bite, chew and speak clearly. Good dental hygiene can never happen too early. In fact, as soon as that first little tooth pops, let the brushing begin! Teaching proper oral care at a young age is an investment that pays with life-long dividends…..

Baby Teeth

Unlike grown-up teeth the enamel is 50% thinner so needs special care as they are more prone to plaque attack and tooth decay. A child’s big teeth are already waiting in the gums below the milk teeth. Taking care of them helps ensure big teeth come through straight, healthy and strong, ready to create a healthy adult smile.

Remember, milk teeth matter and are more than practise teeth!

Regular Tooth Brushing

Just like grown-up teeth, baby teeth need to be brushed regularly. A habitual teeth-cleaning regime is essential and that’s why teeth need to be cleaned every morning and every bedtime. Fluoride is indisputable in preventing tooth decay, so introduce a fluoride toothpaste when the child is old enough not to swallow the toothpaste (there is no fluoride added to Lothian water supplies). As a child develops, encourage them to brush their own teeth and promote proper brushing by guiding your child's hand so they can feel the correct movement. Try to make it as fun as possible even if it means using that Batman voice to get the wee darlings to brush their teeth. Parents need to take responsibility for brushing their children's teeth until at least age eight.

The Plaque Attack!

Cavities are caused by two factors: decay, which occurs when bacteria in the mouth react with sugar, causing acids to form that soften and dissolve enamel; and acid erosion, which happens when acid in food or drink comes into direct contact with enamel. Each “plaque attack” can last up to 20 minutes after a meal until saliva can neutralise it and let the enamel recover.

Hidden Sugars

Sugars are everywhere in our diets, but then there are snacks where parents feel they are making better choices….. But aren’t! The dried fruit snacks - raisins, mango, apricots and the like are beloved by mums as a 'healthy' alternative to biscuits and crisps. However, they are a significant problem as they are concentrated forms of fructose, or fruit sugar, which reacts with bacteria in the mouth to create acid. Milk is another culprit.

While many parents assume cow's milk is a wholesome drink, it too contains a type of sugar: lactose. Formula milks for children aged from one year upwards also contain added sugar. Decay is a particular problem if the milk is in contact with the teeth for extended periods. The general advice for parents is to give children water rather than fruit juice, and to seek out those hidden sugars and avoid them in the snack regime.

The Dentist

All children should visit a dentist by their first birthday and be sure of regular check-ups thereafter... Parents play an important role in the first dental visits. From the outset, parents can encourage children to see a visit to the dentist as a positive, healthy activity. If there is apprehension, nowadays most dentists have specialist training in dealing with nervous or phobic patients. With early intervention, the dentist can help to prevent decay and identify any health problems.

Remember, NHS dental care for children is free. For details visit the website of the Oral Health Foundation - www.dentalhealth.org