Caring For Your Child's Teeth: A Guide For Parents

It’s often challenging for parents to gauge how much dental care their children needs and even more confusing to know where to start. Despite having good knowledge of oral hygiene, many parents are still uncertain about how to best tackle some ‘toothy’ concerns. Cavities, bad breath, tooth decay, dental check-ups—how can parents navigate past all these dental woes? and common dental problems in child

Poor dental hygiene and untreated dental conditions can cause poor and misaligned tooth development, which can lead to more serious problems as a child grows up. Brushing our teeth properly and regularly is a habit that we all need to form from childhood; and without the right dental products such as the right toothbrush and toothpaste, plaque build-up will be the beginning of the end of healthy gums, teeth and good oral health.

What Common Dental Problems Can Occur In Your Child?

Tooth decay is undoubtedly the most common chronic childhood condition today. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 20% of children from the ages of 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decayed or decaying tooth, and 13% of adolescents have the same problem. “Problem food” that worsen the condition includes candy, cookies, soda and fruit juice, as well as cooked starches such as pasta, rice, potatoes and bread.

According to Dr. Joel Vergel-De Dios, DMD, resident dentist at The National Kidney and Transplant Institute, what begins with tooth decay may lead to bad breath or halitosis, sensitive teeth, gum disease or gingivitis, and canker sores. The buildup of bacteria in the mouth can cause these dental downers. Some of which can progress to bigger problems, such as bone damage and tooth loss.

When Should Kids Start Brushing Their Teeth?

Your child’s first teeth will hold the space for adult teeth. Without a healthy set of baby teeth, your child will have trouble chewing and speaking clearly.

“Care for the oral cavity begins as soon as a child starts being fed,” Dr Vergel De Dios, explains. Dentists recommend that parents start cleaning baby’s teeth when they appear at about 6 months. Babies need a good, gentle gum and teeth wipe with a soft cloth moistened with warm water after every feeding. This will help make sure no bacteria build-up will occur. When the first baby teeth start to pop up, you can graduate to an infant toothbrush. He adds that gum and teeth wiping should continue alongside tooth brushing when all the teeth have appeared.

Cleaning and brushing teeth can help get rid of plaque build-up that causes tooth decay.  As soon as baby teeth erupt (any time between 6 and 12 months), you can start using toothpaste just the size of a grain of rice. At about age 2, you can start using a pea-sized amount of low-fluoride toothpaste, and teach the child to spit out the toothpaste after brushing. Parents just need to make sure all surfaces of the teeth and gums are cleaned twice a day (after breakfast and before bed). This should make for your child’s daily oral care regimen. Children will need an adult to help or guide them in brushing their teeth until about 7 or 8 years of age, when they will have learned the proper way of brushing.

Elmex, the best protection for common dental problems in your child

Children deserve the best protection and the best care for their precious pearly whites. Using a brand recommended by dentists is a prerequisite for healthy permanent teeth. Elmex, the #1 Brand Recommended by Switzerland Dentists^ contains a unique formulation known as Amine Fluoride which offers a protective triple effect that forms a layer of calcium fluorine on the dental enamel, makes the teeth more resistant to mineral losses due to decays, and helps to reincorporate minerals dissolved by caries. 

Elmex Kids Toothpaste is refreshing and perfect for your child’s picky taste. It has no special aroma or taste, just pure goodness, motivating children to brush their teeth regularly. 9 out of 10 users would recommend Elmex Anti-Caries Kids Toothpaste to their friends and family*. 

A range of oral health products and dental solutions 

Elmex offers a complete range of innovative and high-quality oral hygiene products, not only for Kids Toothpaste but on Adult Regime too. You can protect your family and yourself from Caries and Cavities by using Elmex Adult Toothpaste, Toothbrush and Mouthwash as it effectively strengthens teeth from within.

Dental hygiene and health necessitate a lifelong habit for a lifetime of wellbeing. A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health, the National Health Service-UK stresses. This involves regular visits to the dentist and the best tooth brushing essentials: toothpaste, toothbrush and floss. However, it is not just brushing and flossing that keep your teeth healthy. You also need to be careful about what you eat and drink. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables and drink water instead of soda.  

Elmex products are available in Watsons & Guardian or you can purchase via online at Guardian, Watsons, Shopee and Redmart at your own comfort. Start giving you and your family the ultimate oral care protection and flash that big smile without any worries!

Watsons: https://bit.ly/36GfaEO

Shopee: https://bit.ly/3d7vUpj  

Redmart: https://bit.ly/33GAbxf

Guardian: https://bit.ly/3iEFlhj

*Survey conducted by Home Tester Club between 15/5/20 and 23/6/20, 137 members have received and home tested Elmex Anti-Caries Kids Toothpaste.

^Based on study by IPSOS 2019