The importance of children's oral health.

When we were children when we threw teeth, we threw them into squirrels and asked for new teeth. We did not know that the primary teeth would restore our permanent teeth.

When a child is born and gets their first tooth, it is one of the most fun moments that parents can experience in their lives. However, parents must be aware of new teeth that appear in their child's mouth; These teeth help chew food and start the process of talking to children. Therefore, parents must monitor the development of their children and the development of primary teeth. Therefore, this week Health Capsules spoke with Dr. Vipula Wickaramasinghe, Regional Dental Surgeon from the Regional Director of the Colombo Health Services Office, and with the Secretary General of the Sri Lankan Dental Association for more information on the importance of children's oral health.

Children's oral health is defined as "Basically in children, oral health means maintaining optimal oral health in the mouth. This includes teeth, tongue, and all other tissues in and around the mouth. Optimal health conditions in children can be "is determined as children's oral health," said Dr. Wickramasing.



Placement of teeth Simply put, human teeth are in two different jaws; Superior and inferior. Basically, at the age of six to eight months, the lower deciduous teeth in a child's mouth begin to erupt. At the end of two and a half to three years, children will develop all twenty teeth. When a child reaches the age of six to seven years, the permanent teeth down front will break. This will continue until the age of thirteen. At that time the child will erupt the 28th tooth. At the age of eighteen to twenty one, adults get their wisdom teeth, which then completes the natural placement of teeth.

Parents must treat primary teeth in a very appropriate way. Neglect of primary teeth affects the growth of permanent teeth

Mouth disorders that are common in childhood According to Dr. Wickaramasinghe, there are many mouth disorders in childhood. Among them dental caries occupies a prominent place. There are several types of dental caries due to various causes and risk factors. One cause of tooth decay is excessive sugar consumption or addiction to sweet foods. Another cause of tooth decay is sucking on the nipple from your milk bottle, especially at night. Because the child's front teeth act as filters; They can absorb everything that is not desirable in the process. Such teeth are prone to tooth decay. This is known as cavities because of baby bottles, also known as "bottle syndromes" in medical terms. This is the most important reason for dental caries in childhood. "

Wickaramasing said. Accidents that children encounter are also oral problems from childhood. Because children play at a young age, it's normal for them to do a lot of aggressive activities. Sports such as cricket, rugby, and hockey can cause many accidents that ultimately damage and damage their shiny teeth.

Regardless of the mouth disorders in childhood mentioned above, general problems such as additional teeth or the absence of teeth, different tooth shapes and sizes, lack of completion of upper or lower teeth is also a common mouth problem in childhood. Cleft palate and cleft lip are also oral problems that are common in children. An operation must be carried out to fix it to its normal position.

Proper primary dental care is very important for good oral health. When children grow up, they need to have good teeth. Therefore, parents must care for primary teeth in a very appropriate way. Neglect of primary teeth affects the growth of permanent teeth. Nutrition has a great effect on the growth of primary teeth in children. The face consists of bones and muscles; The proper growth of facial bones and facial muscles is also part of children's oral health. Good children's oral health helps create a pleasant appearance for children. For example, a child who has a lot of tooth decay is a negative effect on their personality.

If a child eats too much candy and doesn't brush his teeth twice a day, the child tends to have oral health problems in childhood.

Causes of bad mouth problems in childhood According to Dr. Wickaramasinghe, excessive sugar consumption is a risk factor for children's poor oral health. If a child eats too much candy and does not brush his teeth twice a day, the child tends to have oral health problems in childhood. As a result, tooth decay occurs in the mouth. If there are many holes in the child's mouth, bacterial growth increases. Finger sucking habits can cause abnormal tooth position and oral health problems.

Prevention Parents must be aware of the first eruption of deciduous teeth in a child's mouth. They must brush the child's primary teeth. Once in six months, visit a dental surgeon to get more medication or instructions. The most preventive method for oral health during childhood is lower sugar consumption. Instead of providing sweets for children, promote fruit, meat and fish. The mother is a child caregiver, and if she does not pay attention to good oral hygiene, it can cause oral health problems. When a mother passes through pregnancy, she must maintain her own oral hygiene to have better oral health for her son.

Message for parents "Especially, parents must understand that primary teeth are very important during a child's growth, as well as to maintain good oral health of the child. This is mainly because primary teeth provide the basic strength for permanent teeth growth. eventually it will fall, they are not very important, but they are the most important part of oral health When first teeth appear, parents must treat them by brushing their teeth, using a toothbrush suitable for children and fluoride toothpaste. parents must remember if they see something unusual in their teeth and must immediately consult a dental surgeon. Taking into account these factors, parents can protect the oral health of children. Finally, it will also result in children who lead childhood healthy and happy, "Dr. Wickaramasing concluded.