Have you ever stopped and thought about how healthy you and your family’s teeth are? You might be surprised to know that dental problems, which include tooth decay and gum problems are pretty common, especially among Filipino families.
Dental problems persist until adulthood
Based on the 1998 National Monitoring and Epidemiological Dental Survey, an alarming 92.4% of Filipinos suffer from tooth decay, and 78% of Filipinos suffer from gum disease.
Additionally, in the 2006 National Oral Health Survey (NOHS), 97.1% of six-year-olds suffer from tooth decay. This is why it’s very important for parents to make sure that their children’s teeth are always in tip-top shape.
It’s also important to note that while some parents believe that it’s okay for their kids to have cavities since they’re still have milk teeth, studies have shown that tooth decay and gum disease have long-term problems that can persist until adulthood. Good dental hygiene also has to be developed at a very young age, so proper tooth care is extremely important.
How can we take care of our children’s teeth?
Dental health goes beyond just brushing twice a day, as there are a lot of factors that can contribute to how healthy your child’s teeth will be.
Here are some helpful tips:
- Brushing twice a day is the first step to prevent plaque buildup. Make sure that your kids brush all of their teeth, not just the ones in front, since the teeth in the back and the sides are usually the ones that people usually fail to brush properly.
- Flossing is just as important as brushing. Teach your children how to floss properly, so that any food particles that might be stuck in between their teeth can be cleaned as these particles can cause cavities.
- Brushing your tongue is also important. Did you know that brushing your tongue can help keep your mouth healthy? A lot of people, even adults, usually neglect to brush their tongues. That’s why it’s important to teach your kids to brush their tongues along with their teeth.
- For younger children, especially those who are still drinking milk, it’s important to let them drink water afterwards. Drinking water helps rinse your child’s mouth, and removes any milk that might build up on their teeth. Milk, and juice, can cling to your child’s teeth, and the sugars and acids can cause cavities.
- Frequent trips to the dentist are also important for young kids. As a rule, you should take your children to the dentist at about 6 months after their first tooth erupts. As a rule, you should take your kids to the dentist every 6 months.
Source: doh.gov.ph, news.abs-cbn.com, kidshealth.org
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