Dentist urges parents to start children’s oral care early

By Damiete Braide

Dentist urges parents to start children’s oral care earlyConsultant Paediatric Dentist, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Dr. Akindele Opeyemi, has urged parents and caregivers to prioritise oral hygiene from infancy, warning that poor dental care can increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and bad breath.

She said good oral hygiene should begin from the first day of a child’s life and continue through adulthood, stressing that simple daily habits could help prevent avoidable dental problems.

According to her, parents should gently clean an infant’s gums and tongue with a clean, soft, damp cloth before the emergence of the first tooth. Once the first tooth appears, she advised parents to introduce a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride-containing toothpaste.

Dentist urges parents to start children’s oral care earlyAkindele said children should brush their teeth twice daily, particularly in the morning and before bedtime. She added that parents and caregivers should take responsibility for brushing younger children’s teeth, while older children could gradually be allowed to brush themselves under supervision.

She also recommended flossing or the use of interdental brushes to clean areas that toothbrushes may not effectively reach.

The dentist cautioned against treating mouthwash as a replacement for regular brushing, noting that although some mouthwashes may be useful in specific situations, they should not be routinely used, particularly by children, without professional guidance.

On tooth sensitivity, Akindele described it as a sharp, short-lived pain that may occur when the teeth are exposed to cold, hot or acidic foods and drinks. She explained that the condition could result from worn enamel or exposure of the tooth root caused by gum recession.

She advised people experiencing tooth sensitivity to have the affected tooth examined by a dental professional rather than attempting to manage the condition without proper assessment.

The dental expert also stressed the importance of diet in maintaining healthy teeth and gums. She recommended vegetables, fruits, milk, whole grains, eggs, fish, lean proteins and water as part of a healthy diet, while urging parents to reduce children’s consumption of sugary foods and drinks.

She noted that tooth decay depends not only on the amount of sugar consumed but also on how frequently it is consumed, as repeated exposure to sugary foods and drinks can increase acid attacks on the teeth.

Akindele further advised parents not to wait until their children develop toothache before visiting a dentist. She recommended that every child should have a first dental visit when the first tooth emerges or before the first birthday.

She explained that early dental visits establish a “dental home” where children’s oral health can be monitored and preventive care provided.

The dentist also dispelled the perception that baby teeth are unimportant because they eventually fall out, stressing that healthy primary teeth support proper eating and development and prepare children for the emergence of permanent teeth.

She urged parents to make regular brushing, healthy eating and routine dental check-ups part of their children’s healthcare from an early age.