Permanent Teeth
Permanent teeth start to erupt at age six or seven. Continue with
good oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist. By the time
your child is 13 years old, most of his or her permanent teeth will
be in place. Then, dental issues such as orthodontics, sports guards
and nutrition will come into play.
Orthodontic evaluations are generally recommended
early, sometimes as early as five or six. Timely orthodontic treatment
can create an even and pleasant smile and does wonders for children’s
self-esteem. Protect your children’s smiles with sports guards
if they play contact sports. Also, continue educating your child
on healthy food choices. At around the age of 13, fluoride supplements
can be stopped. Wisdom teeth consults usually start at about the
age of seventeen onwards.
Diet and Your Child’s Teeth
What we feed our children is an important factor for healthy teeth.
A balanced diet is important for long-term dental health. In a world
of working parents, fast lives, fast food, convenience comes first
before nutrition. As a result, dental health can be overlooked.
Snack Options:
We all know the obvious foods that cause decay, such as foods high
in carbohydrates and sugars, like candies and juices. Many of us
are unaware of the foods with hidden sugars, such as pretzels, potato
chips, peanut butter and crackers.
Replace these snacks with healthier ones. Some
options include fresh fruit, vegetables, cheeses and other sugar-free
and unsweetened options. Serve starchy foods as part of a meal rather
than a snack and aim for fewer snacks.
Beverage Consumption
As children get older, limiting soft drink consumption is recommended.
Consuming carbonated drinks on a regular basis can contribute to
erosion of tooth enamel and increase the chance of a child developing
cavities. It is hard to eliminate these drinks, so use them as a
treat or for a special occasion. This not only reduces the risk
of cavities, but also can avoid long term ill effects such as diabetes
and osteoporosis.
This advice also applies to drinks that contain
sticky sugars. Some examples are tropical juices such as mango and
sweet lassis. Limit sports drinks as well, as these can also affect
teeth.
Some options for beverages include:
- Stocking the fridge with beverages containing
less sugar and acid, such as milk, water or a pitcher of water
with lime slices.
- Diluting juices with water before serving—younger
children in particular won’t know the difference.
- Teaching your children to flush their mouths
with water after drinking sugary beverages. This removes vestiges
of the drink and reduces harmful effects of these drinks.
Good dental habits, regular visits to the dentist
and sensible nutrition choices will enable our children to greet
the future with beautiful, strong and healthy smiles!
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