All kids want in their summer holidays is chocolates and dollops of ice cream. The craving is so intense that they readily snack on carbohydrate rich diet of chips, cakes, candies, cheese, pizzas and what have you.
These are the same food items that the cavity forming bacteria thrive on. So all through summer the bacteria feasts on the carbs, and the end result is dental decay commonly known as cavities.
Colas and aerated drinks add to the problems because they contain acid which corrodes the surface of the teeth. Same is the case with our all-time summer favourite 'Nimbu Paani'. Repeated and frequent consumption makes the tooth surface porous and susceptible to tooth decay.
Dental expert Dr Bela S. Jain shares some invaluable tips with us on how to care for your kid's dental hygiene.
1. Stock healthy fruits in the refrigerator. If the refrigerator is stocked with diced and ready to eat fruits, in all likelihood your child will pick up the bowl. If the child has to slice the fruit himself chances are he will move on to a bag of chips!
2. Have access to fresh fruit juices. Stock coconut water or natural fruit juices instead of synthetic drinks. Due to the heat, there is more consumption of liquid items. Make it a practice with your kid to rinse his mouth after taking any aerated drink.
3. Keep a ready stock of chewing gum at home. Chewing gums are good for you! Firstly- The sweetness goes away quickly so they don't harm the teeth. Secondly- As the gum is chewed its stickiness picks up all the food stuck on the surfaces of the teeth. Hence the chewing gum does the work of a tooth brush. Thirdly- As chewing continues, saliva keeps flowing. This is similar to taking a water pipe and hosing the garden down. This keeps your mouth clean and washes away the bacteria. Lastly- As long as the chewing gum is in the mouth; there are no chocolates in it!
4. Stock detergent foods. These do the work of a tooth brush. Give the child a slice of apple, a carrot or a pear after they have had a chocolate. These are very useful because their fiber cleans up any food stuck to the teeth. These can be used instead of a brush after every meal.
5. Mouthwashes. Using a fluoride mouthwash can help reduce tooth decay. Fluoridated mouth washes make the top layer of the tooth more resistant to acid attack. Thus, they protect your dentures from cavities.
6. Brushing. Fluoridated tooth pastes also strengthen the tooth surface against acid attacks. Use vertical strokes of a soft brush to clean the teeth. Once the food particles are removed efficiently, the formation of permanent stains and cavities on the teeth is reduced. Doing this soon after meals offers best results.
After doing any of the above, don't forget to show your teeth and smile!
source: TOI
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