Teaching children how to take care of their own teeth is so important - especially with half of all teenagers today suffering from tooth decay. Denise Roberts gets to the root of it
Children's teeth
Our teeth play an important role in our culture. They can affect our confidence, how we are perceived by others, and our general wellbeing. Research has shown that people make assumptions about a person's social and intellectual abilities according to the state of their teeth.
But the British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) says that half of all children have tooth decay by the time they've reached their teens.
Children begin loosing their milk teeth at around six and will have all their permanent teeth by the time they reach 13 (with the exception of the wisdom teeth, which appear between the ages of 18 and 25). Given that their new set of choppers has to last for the rest of their lives, teaching children how to take proper care of them is crucial. And there are three main points to keep in mind.
A good hygiene routine
Good dental hygiene doesn't only give us a confident smile - it can also help in the fight against serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease and strokes. According to the BDHF, gum disease has been linked to heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and low birth weight babies.
Dentists advise parents supervise their child's brushing until they are at least seven years old. Teaching them how to brush effectively - including those hard to reach areas - will set them up for life and help spare them tooth decay, fillings and bad breath, especially important as they head towards their teens!
Use a fluoride toothpaste as it strengthens the tooth enamel, making it more resistant to decay. Brush twice a day - morning and last thing at night before bed. Established research has found that most people only brush for around 45 seconds, which is why the BDHF chose the slogan ‘two minutes twice a day' for this year's national smile month.
Electric toothbrushes with rotating and oscillating heads can remove significantly more plaque and are great for people with limited dexterity. Some also come with a ‘two minute timer'. Remember to change your brush (or brush head) every three months.
There are a number of manual toothbrushes available to encourage children to brush their teeth, including brightly coloured brushes, some of which change colour, have favourite characters on the handles or come with timers. The most important point is to use a toothbrush suitable for the age of your child.
