Many parents are particularly concerned about their children's food, drink, sleep, and hygiene, but when it comes to their baby teeth, they show a particularly Buddhist attitude. Surprisingly, many parents still hold the misconception that "baby teeth must be replaced sooner or later, and if they break, they will." According to the results of the fourth national oral health epidemiological survey, the tooth decay rate of 5-year-old children's baby teeth is as high as 70.9%. That means on average, 7 out of every 10 children have dental caries!
So the question is: Do you really not need to worry about broken baby teeth? I can responsibly tell all parents here that in this' baby tooth defense battle ', no parent can escape and must fight! How to fight? Let's start with misconceptions.
Misconception 1: Deciduous teeth need to be replaced sooner or later, so don't worry if they break?
Of course we need to manage!
Never underestimate dental caries in deciduous teeth, as its harm is even more widespread and severe than that in permanent teeth.
Dental caries in deciduous teeth can cause incomplete enamel development in permanent teeth, and in severe cases, it can lead to the inability of permanent teeth to continue sprouting or misalignment. A messy set of teeth can ruin one's appearance and result in lifelong regrets!
When baby teeth are broken, it affects food intake, digestive and absorption systems, and nutrition cannot keep up. How can we talk about immunity?
Some parents say, 'If the baby teeth are broken, but the child doesn't cry out in pain, is it okay?'
Not feeling pain doesn't mean everything is okay. When teeth come out, the permanent teeth sprout against the baby teeth. If the primary teeth are decayed and inflamed, it will directly affect the eruption of permanent teeth, and dental caries are caused by bacteria, which can easily be "transmitted" from the primary teeth to the lower permanent teeth, causing permanent teeth to have caries when they first sprout.
Misconception 2: Is eating too much sugar the "culprit" of dental caries?
The 'pot' of dental caries cannot be simply thrown onto 'sugar'!
The real cause of dental caries is bacteria, which can utilize not only visible sugars, but also an invisible type of sugar - free sugars. Biscuits, bread, ice cream, beverages, fruit juice, and so on are the "hardest hit areas" for free sugars. If children eat too much of these things and do not clean their mouths in time, they may develop dental caries.
Misconception 3: Is it enough to start brushing teeth after all the baby teeth have grown?
Don't do it!
In fact, from the moment a baby grows their first baby tooth, they should start brushing their teeth.
Before the age of 3, babies can have their parents help them brush their teeth. After the age of 3, babies should gradually develop the habit of brushing their teeth independently, once in the morning and once in the evening. After brushing their teeth themselves, they should have their parents help them brush them again. They cannot be lazy~
Of course, babies without teeth cannot be "let go" either. After eating milk, waking up, and getting up, parents can use clean finger cots or wet gauze to help their babies wipe their gums and tongue.
Misconception 4: Fluorine toothpaste is toxic and cannot be used for children?
The fluoride content requirement for children's toothpaste in our country is 0.05% -0.11%. According to the recommendation of the American Dental Association, toothpaste the size of rice grains should be used before the age of 3, with a weight of approximately 0.1g. If swallowed twice in the morning and evening, the fluoride intake is only 0.1-0.22mg. The maximum tolerable fluoride level for children aged 1-3 given in the Chinese Dietary Nutrient Reference Intake is 0.8mg. Only when the daily fluoride intake exceeds 0.8mg will it have an impact on health, otherwise it is safe.
It can be seen that even if babies swallow fluoride toothpaste every day, their fluoride intake is much lower than the dose that may cause fluoride poisoning, so using fluoride toothpaste for babies is safe!
Brushing teeth correctly and using fluoride toothpaste can greatly reduce the incidence of dental caries, both for adults and children.
Baby teeth need careful care, and the most important thing is to help children develop good eating habits and teeth cleaning habits!