The morning struggle of encouraging children to brush their teeth can be a bit of a nightmare, and then it comes around again in the evening! However, the effort is worth it – new studies show that over 40% of Australian 12 year olds, and almost 50% of six year olds have some form of dental disease.
Decay in baby teeth can lead to a decay developing in permanent teeth, so it is crucial to take care of your child’s teeth from an early age and to help them develop good dental habits that will stay with them into later life. 49% of Australians forget to brush their teeth before they go to bed, so it is important to instil good habits in children!
‘There are compelling facts we simply cannot ignore,’ says Dr Susan Cartwright, Scientific Affairs manager of Colgate Oral Care, and practicing dentist. ‘the Australian Dental Association has stated tooth decay is the second most diet-related disease in Australia and is now Australia’s most common health problem. Nine out of ten Australian adults have experienced tooth decay at some point in their lives.’
But how to protect your child from tooth decay? Start by changes in oral hygiene habits and dietary patterns, implementing a good routine and a healthy, low sugar diet. It’s also great to introduce a little fun into the tooth brushing ritual, with fun brushes and dental hygiene products such as those featured in the gallery below.
‘I have seen first hand the effects of decay with hundreds of patients requiring immediate and urgent treatment in my twenty-five years practicing dentistry,’ says Dr Cartwright. ‘This included fillings and in some extreme cases, hospital treatment. All to address the outcomes of a disease that is almost entirely preventable and, at very early stages, can even be reversed!’
Dr Susan Cartwright’s tips for preventing tooth decay:
- Brush teeth night and day.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste that directly fights sugar acids in food, such as the new Colgate Maximum Protection toothpaste with Sugar Acid Neutraliser.
- Limit intake of sugary and starchy foods.
- Reduce the number of times children snack between meals.
- Schedule regular visits with a dentist professional to look for signs of early tooth decay.
