Your child’s first teeth matter

Ms Z’s 3-year-old child has bad breath. She’s worried that it’s tonsilitis. On inspection the tonsils are fine, but three of the teeth are rotten.

Important factors to note:

Ms Z’s child does not brush teeth often and eats snacks throughout the day.

Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) if left untreated can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing and learning. A regular teeth-cleaning routine is essential for good dental health.

Help your child taking care of there dental health by following these suggestions:

For Babies:

• Wipe gums with a soft, clean cloth in the morning after the first feeding and right before bed. This wipes away bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.
• When teeth come in, start brushing twice a day with a soft, small-bristled toothbrush and plain water.
• Visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday to spot signs of problems early.

For children:

• Brush teeth twice a day with child-friendly fluoride toothpaste, as this helps prevent and control tooth decay.
• Use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste

Help your child brush their teeth until they have good brushing skills:

1.            Guide your child’s hand so they can feel the correct movement.

2.            Use a mirror to help them see where the brush is cleaning their teeth.

3.            Brush their teeth using small, circular movements.

4.            Remember to gently brush their gums and behind their teeth.

5.            Make tooth brushing as fun as possible by using an egg timer to time it for about 2 minutes.

6.            Tip: Let them spit out after brushing and don’t rinse as the fluoride won’t work as well when rinsing.

7.            Warning: Don’t let children run around with a toothbrush in their mouth, as they may have an accident and hurt themselves.

Children aged 7 and over:

• Should be able to brush their own teeth, but it’s still a good idea to watch them to make sure they brush properly and for about 2 minutes.

way forward, Dr T’s advice:

Implement good dental hygiene principles:

• Brushing teeth twice daily.
• Limit snacking on sugary sweets and drinks/fruit juice.
• Rinse mouth after eating

The decision to pull rotten teeth should be made by a dentist who can assess the specific situation and determine the best course of action.

Given the severity of decay and overall dental health and the potential impact on future teeth development, a tooth extraction may be necessary to prevent further decay and infection.

It is crucial that the extraction is performed by a qualified dentist to minimise risks and ensure a safe procedure.

Health topic for next week:

February is Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month.

Email your related health problems/concerns no later than this Friday at noon to talkingtodrt@gmail.com to be eligible for a free consultation.

Follow The Times of Eswatini (X) and @dr.thys (Instagram) for more health hacks. Send queries to ohesmngr@gmail.com.