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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : January 14, 2019 3:28 PM IST
Make sure your kids' teeth are in good shape! ©Shutterstock
With changing food habits and lifestyle patterns, toothaches, tooth cavities and decay of teeth are on a rise. At a very young age, children are complaining of toothaches, which could often be because of excessive sweet intake or even junk food. Pediatric dentist Dr Reshma Shah of 32 Reasons clinic says, "Tooth decay is largely preventable, even though it remains one of the most common diseases of childhood five times as common as asthma. As per research, 42 per cent of children between two and 11 years have had cavities in baby teeth while 21 per cent of those between six to 11 years has had cavities in permanent teeth.
What are the common causes of cavities or decay?
Whenever we eat or drink something that contains sugar or starch, the bacteria use them to produce acids. These acids begin to eat away at the tooth s hard outer surface (enamel). When a tooth is exposed to such acid frequently, the repeated cycles of acid attacks cause the enamel to lose minerals. A white spot may appear where minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early decay.
How parents are infecting their kids
It happens when you transfer your saliva into your child s mouth. For instance, repeatedly eating from the same spoon as your baby or letting your toddler brush his teeth with your toothbrush. And if you ve frequently had cavities yourself, you re particularly likely to pass the germs along. It s an old wives tale that soft teeth run in families, but what s really passed along in families are high levels of decay-causing bacteria, Dr Reshma says.
Oral hygiene is a must
Limit your child s between-meal snacks and if need be, provide healthier options. This reduces the number of acid attacks on teeth and gives teeth a chance to repair themselves. Make sure your child doesn t eat or drink anything with sugar in it after bedtime tooth brushing. Saliva flow decreases during sleep. Without enough saliva, teeth s ability to repair themselves reduces. Adequate dietary calcium, phosphorous, vitamins A, D, and C help in healthy and strong enamel formation. It s better to avoid any sugary candies and sweets. Whenever you eat sweets in any meal or snack, brush your teeth well with fluoride toothpaste afterwards, says Dr Shah.
