Create healthy habits to prevent dental issues
Regular dental check-ups, brushing and ossing twice a day and maintaining a healthy diet to prevent tooth decay seems like a simple enough concept, but instilling those habits in children can add a new dynamic. Dr. Graf Sanders at Graf Orthodontics said starting children with healthy dental habits at a young age is best.
“There are three key areas [that contribute to tooth decay in children],” Sanders said. “You’ve got genetics; some people are just born to be more prone to decay. Then it’s brushing and ossing habits, which need to be instilled at a young age, and then the third and biggest one for kids is diet.”
The problem most seen in today’s diet is sugary drinks. The sugar and acid in sodas and juice are a big factor in contributing to tooth decay.
“The problem today is not a lot of these kids drink water,” Sanders said. “I’ve got kids who come in here and drink two or three soft drinks a day, or they drink juice all day long, or they drink Gatorade because some parents think that’s a health drink, but it’s not. Diet is really what’s hurting us right now from my perspective. It’s not just not enough water [in the diet]; it’s too much junk.”
A contributing factor in maintaining dental health is uoride, a chemical compound that ghts against bacteria, decay and can help to remineralize enamel in some instances.
“We live in a uoridated water community,” Sanders said. “[Fluoride in the water] has been the single most in uential tool that we’ve had to ght decay in the last 60 years.”
Sanders recommends his patients rinse and brush with uoride mouthwash and toothpaste, especially those with braces.
“[Patients with braces] will need to use their toothbrush after every meal for large debris,” Sanders said. “Then we always recommend at least a uoride rinse to be used every night before they go to bed to help remineralize any potentially damaged enamel.”
Children with braces can prove to add a new challenge in preventing decay and maintaining health.
“With braces, the big difference is that the lips and cheeks can no longer touch the facial surface of the tooth,” he said.
“A lot of kids can get away with poor hygiene before braces because a lot of that [plaque and sugary substance] is wiped off by the lips and cheeks. When the brace is on that tooth it’s holding [the plaque] on the tooth. Instead of sitting on the gumline, it sits right in the center of the tooth. The longer it sits there, the longer the bacteria releases acid, and the more acid that’s released the more of a scar you get on the tooth, [which can] cavitate into a cavity.”
To reach places in the mouth obstructed by brackets, an interproximal brush, which is shaped like a little Christmas tree, is used to go under the wires. Sanders also recommends a Waterpik for the soft tissue to keep the gums from over-growing.
In any situation, proper dental hygiene habits need to be started and maintained at home and that includes the parents leading by example.
“For kids, it’s all about the parent and what kind of home care they’re being shown and demonstrated,” Sanders said.
“Number 1, best way to prevent tooth decay is regular dental check-ups,” he continued. “[Then] it’s brushing and ossing every day, at least twice a day.
A lot of kids only brush once in the morning, [but they need] regular home care [of twice a day]. Other than that, it goes back to what you’re eating. More water, less sugar. It’s really that simple.”
– Katie Ho
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Dr. Sanders recommends first and foremost to drink more water to maintain dental health in children but that flavor additives like Mio and sugar-free Crystal Light can be added. He said to stay away from sports drinks, sodas and even sweet tea.
