Decrease dental decay with 3 simple steps.

Published figures provide statistical evidence that the number of children needing extractions because of dental decay decreases each year.  Which sounds like great news. But in actual fact, taken as a percentage of the population from 0-19 years old, apparently the last set of statistical records showed no change from the year before.

Which is why the advice, the tips, even the nagging, has to go on! Preventing tooth decay is a battle worth fighting as our children deserve to have healthy teeth.

• Public Health England – Almost 9 out of 10 child hospital tooth extractions due to decay – press release

Public Health England identifies three crucial areas that parents and carers need to be pro-active in to help children to avoid dental decay:

“Tooth decay can be largely prevented by reducing consumption of sugar in food and drink, adequate exposure to fluoride, and routine visits to the dentist.”

1. Swap when you shop.

Sugar causes dental decay, it also puts children at risk from obesity and type 2 diabetes. Sugary foods and drinks are the problem because sugar encourages the growth of bacteria that causes plaque and damages tooth enamel.

By swapping one product for another, shoppers can cut down on the sugar children consume. Talking with children about making healthy choices is important as these days we’re bombarded by advertisements and a wide range of healthy and unhealthy products.

• Change 4 Life has lots of good ideas on their website to help make healthy choices.
• Use the sugar calculator and the sugar swaps to help your children visualise your message.

2. Fluoride works.

Oral hygiene products protect and strengthen teeth. It’s important to implement a diligent oral hygiene routine at home. Teeth need brushing last thing before going to bed, and at one other time during the day for two minutes. Remember to spit, not rinse, so the fluoride from toothpaste can do it’s good work.

• Children’s oral care advice from a dental therapist.

Children’s teeth benefit from fluoride varnish which is painted directly onto their teeth. It’s a quick and painless procedure, done by a dental professional. Moreover, the cost is covered by the NHS for children.

• What is fluoride varnish and why do my children need it?

3. Regular dental checks identify problems early to decrease dental decay.

As the NHS supports free oral health care for children into their late teens, parents and carers need to help their children access the treatments they need.

Babies should go to the dentist before their first birthday. The best time is when their first tooth erupts.

We usually recommend children attend a dental appointment every six months,  but it may vary as each child has different requirements. At each appointment the dentist systematically checks your child’s teeth, gums and mouth, so it’s important to follow recommendations.  Depending on the area of the country you live in too, your dentist is likely to offer Fluoride treatment, which helps decrease dental decay, when paired with good oral hygiene at home.  Feel free to ask the dentist questions too – every question is a good question.

Remember, children who go to the dentist smile more!

Campaigns are working!

“77% of 5 year old children in England now free of obvious decay.”

It’s good news, but there’s still work to do, for children to have 99% perfect oral health. And it’s parents and care givers who can make that difference. Even if it means changing habits, building routines at home, and making appointments, as well as a bit of nagging. Later, our children will thank us.

SpaDental is working with the community to help children have great teeth for life.

Our SpaDental Plymouth team are out and about the Plymouth schools, helping children to brush up well.

• Why not browse through our regular news articles for more about children’s oral health?

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