Backed by the World Dental Federation, World Oral Health Day aims to spread the message about good oral hygiene and the important part oral health plays in maintaining general health and well-being. Celebrated every year on 20 March.
World Oral Health Day focuses on a different theme each year. Under this year’s theme ‘Unite for Mouth Health’, the World Dental Federation encourages everyone to make a pledge to look after their oral health – “Through everyone’s collective pledges and efforts, we hope to reduce the burden of oral disease worldwide.”
“Oral diseases will affect all people at some point during their lifetime. It is particularly worrying to see an increasing number of children with tooth decay, which can lead to the development of early childhood caries, negatively affect how a young mouth develops, and create lasting health issues for young children.”
Oral Hygiene Tips for Infants, Toddlers and Children
Establish good oral hygiene habits right from the beginning. Follow these recommendations to prevent early tooth decay and ensure a healthy mouth.
Your baby’s mouth should be cleaned a few days after birth. To clean, wipe gums and tongue with a damp gauze pad or special infant gum wipes that are stocked at pharmacies.
Never add sugar to milk in a baby’s bottle.
Try not to let your baby ‘comfort feed’ by sleeping with a bottle in his mouth. Take the bottle away after your child finishes drinking. Drinking milk or formula from bottles over long periods can lead to tooth decay.
Don’t be tempted to pacify your baby by dipping his dummy in sugar, honey or any other sweet treat.
Clean your baby’s teeth in the morning and before bedtime once the first tooth has cut.
Your baby should have visited the dentist by his first birthday and every six months thereafter.
Saying no to sugar outright may be impractical. Save sweet treats for after meals because this is when the amount of saliva produced is greater and this will help protect your child’s teeth.
Choose sweets wisely. Hard sweets like hard boiled candy and toffees can get stuck between your child’s teeth, which may lead to cavities. Softer sweets like marshmallows and chocolate will be gentler on your child’s teeth.
Children should have all their baby teeth by the age of three. Baby teeth start falling out around age six to make way for permanent teeth. Gaps in baby teeth are normal as they make way for permanent teeth. Children should start
flossing as soon as teeth touch, or earlier to help build good habits.
By Khurhsid Guffar.