How should children take care of their oral health?

Children's oral health is very important. It is not only related to the oral development of children, but also directly affects the health of the whole body. Therefore, as parents, we must understand some methods of children's oral health care, such as letting children develop good eating habits, paying attention to oral hygiene, and if the oral condition is not good, they need to go to the hospital for regular oral examinations, etc.

1. Balanced diet

During infancy, all deciduous teeth and most permanent teeth are formed and calcified, and it is also a period of rapid growth and development of the body. Therefore, ensuring adequate supply of protein, vitamins and foods rich in inorganic substances such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, etc. is beneficial to the normal development of teeth.

Before 5-6 months, all nutrition should be obtained from breast milk or formula. After 5-6 months, it is recommended to add iron-rich dry cereals, provide appropriate snacks (such as fruits), sugar-free cereals, unsalted crackers and cheese. On the one hand, it meets the baby's growth and development needs, and on the other hand, it cultivates the baby's chewing ability and prepares for the transition to weaning.

2. Promote breastfeeding

Breast milk is the best natural food for babies. It is high in calories, rich in various nutrients needed by babies, and contains more enzymes and antibodies, which are beneficial to babies' digestion, absorption and disease resistance. Direct breastfeeding is convenient, hygienic and economical. Therefore, exclusive breastfeeding for at least 6 months is recommended. Pay attention to the feeding posture when breastfeeding. It is best to feed the baby while sitting and holding the baby, and feed alternately from left to right to avoid affecting the growth and development of the baby's maxillofacial area.

Although breastfeeding on demand until the age of 2 is recommended from the perspective of maternal and child health, from the perspective of oral health, very long-term breastfeeding will increase the risk of caries. Therefore, regular feeding on demand should be advocated.

3. Artificial feeding precautions

The feeding bottle is a tool for artificial feeding. When bottle-feeding, you should choose a nipple that is suitable for the baby's age to avoid a hole that is too large so that the milk flows out too quickly and the chewing muscles do not get the proper exercise they need. When feeding, you should hold the baby while feeding, avoid letting the child drink milk while lying down, and do not press the bottle against the upper front teeth to avoid affecting maxillofacial development.

Infants and young children should not be given a bottle of milk or other sweetened beverage as a placebo at any time, especially during naps and sleep. Also, pay attention to the contents of the bottle, which should contain only water and milk.

4. Limit intake of sugary drinks and foods

Carbohydrates are the source of energy for the human body and are one of the essential nutrients for growth and development. But the problem with refined carbohydrates is that the sugars in them are related to the occurrence of tooth decay. Parents should limit the intake of sugary drinks and foods, and reduce the amount and frequency of sugar consumption.

After children are 1 year old, try to give only water or unsweetened milk between meals. Natural fruit juice is high in sugar, so try to give it to your children from a cup. If children can eat fruit directly, they should do so to minimize damage to their teeth.

5. Don’t pass germs to your child through word of mouth

The saliva in the mouth is a carrier of bacteria. The person who feeds the child can spread the pathogenic bacteria in the mouth to the child through kissing, feeding the child with his or her own chopsticks, chewing the food and feeding it to the child, putting the food in his or her own mouth to test the temperature, etc. The earlier the caries-causing bacteria are transmitted to the child, the more likely the child is to develop caries early. Therefore, caregivers should maintain good oral hygiene, correct poor feeding practices, and avoid spreading pathogens to infants and young children.