Toddler’s teeth and oral care
The primary tooth buds begin to form as early as the 6th to 7th week of embryonic development, and the permanent tooth buds form during the 5th month of pregnancy. During normal foetal development, there are 20 primary tooth buds and 28-32 permanent tooth buds formed.
The eruption of primary teeth typically begins around 6 to 8 months of age and is usually completed by 2 to 2.5 years of age. During teething, children often become restless, irritable, put their hands and objects in their mouths, and experience increased saliva production. Erupting teeth put pressure on the gums, causing them to become red and painful. Body temperature may also rise. Additionally, there is increased fluid loss from the body, so it's important to provide the child with plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
During the teething period, the child’s gums should be massaged with a chewing ring or clean gauze wrapped around a finger. Soothing gel can be applied to the gums. Special attention must be paid to oral hygiene. Since the newborns do not have any teeth, there are no convenient places for bacteria to attach in the mouth. However, once teeth start to erupt, bacteria can quickly adhere to them. Therefore, maintaining good oral hygiene is important during teething to prevent oral health issues.
Cleaning a toddler’s teeth
You should start cleaning your toddler’s teeth immediately after the first tooth erupts. Food easily sticks to small teeth, which is an excellent surface for bacteria to attach – resulting in dental plaque. Bacteria can also enter the baby’s mouth when the mother cleans or moistens the baby’s pacifier in her mouth, kisses the baby on the mouth, or feeds the baby with a spoon, putting it in her mouth in between.
To prevent damage to tooth enamel, dental plaque should be removed immediately. For cleaning, you can use a special fingertip brush or a soft infant toothbrush. If these are not available, a clean piece of gauze can also be used. Infant and toddler toothbrushes have very soft bristles and a small head to fit properly in the mouth without causing discomfort to delicate gums. Toothpaste can be introduced when the child is able to rinse their mouth. Only toothpaste designed for small children should be used.
Early childhood caries
Early childhood caries is a serious dental condition in small children, caused by frequent and prolonged exposure of their teeth to sugars found in food and drinks. Particularly damaging are bedtime bottles containing formula, juice, or even breast milk that a co-sleeping child can consume without restriction overnight. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and produce acids that erode the tooth enamel, leaching out minerals. The outer surface of the teeth becomes porous, leading to the formation of white spots that later darken and enlarge. The front teeth are most commonly affected, sometimes resulting in severe decay where only black stubs may remain.
It is important to start teaching children about dental hygiene from an early age, so they know not to go to bed with unbrushed teeth. If a child is thirsty after brushing their teeth, they should only drink clean water, not juice or sweetened drinks, which can undo the benefits of thorough teeth brushing.
In toddler oral care, the most important aspects are:
- not going to sleep with a bottle in the muth or breastfeeding – during sleep, a child's saliva flow decreases, which reduces the mouth's ability to protect itself,
- drinking plain water when thirsty,
- following proper and consistent oral hygiene practices,
- setting a good personal example as a parent or caregiver.
Children and dental anxiety
Most people become anxious and afraid before going to the dentist. Fear is a response to an external stimulus. There is always a reason that causes fear. For example, it can be an object or a threat from another person. This may cause anxiety and stress, which may lead to panic. There are various reasons for fear, but mostly they are unpleasant experiences from childhood.
It's known that 85% of patients develop fear of dental treatment already in early childhood. Children develop the fear from the stories they hear from parents, acquaintances and playmates. These stories, combined with a child's vivid imagination, form a fear of dental care. Such fears can be stored in a child's memory and may persist throughout life.
The child’s opinion is most influenced by the mother. A mother who is afraid of dental care transfers her fears to her child. It also depends on the mother whether the child develops the habit of taking care of their teeth and whether this care is sufficient. In early childhood, it is the mother who takes care of the child’s oral hygiene. You would think that children who fear dental care take care of their teeth to avoid going to the dentist, but in reality, they brush their teeth poorly or don’t brush them at all. They often don’t want to hear anything about oral hygiene or anything else related to teeth, let alone a visit to the dentist.
Preparing for a dentist’s visit
Parents should prepare the child for each appointment. Before visiting the dentist, it is very important to explain the reason for the visit to the child. It is important for the child to know what is being done to them at the dentist. This facilitates mutual cooperation. If the child is not ready to cooperate, treating them is impossible. The child may perceive this as a personal failure, leading to even greater fear next time. If children visit the dentist once or twice a year for check-ups, their fear tend to decrease. The worst scenario is when a child only visits the dentist when they have a toothache. Such visits can leave a lasting unpleasant memory for the child.
Fear should not be amplified
Fear is caused by the unknown. A child’s ability to listen decreases when they are afraid, which is why you should talk about a visit to the dentist days in advance. This gives the child time to process the information and ask questions. When talking with the child, use a communication style appropriate for their age. You should avoid phrases like “don’t be afraid, they won’t do anything to you”, “it won’t hurt”, etc. The words “fear” and “pain” can give the child a hint that there is something to fear and that it might be painful.
Children need security
The dental office can be unfamiliar to a child, and there are different rules of behaviour that the adult understands, but children may not. A new situation and unfamiliar people can cause fear. Therefore, it's advisable to always visit the same who has established good rapport with the child during previous visits.
Sometimes, even with preparation at home, it may not be enough. In such cases, it's helpful to inform the dentist in advance about the child's anxiety. You can find a solution together – the child is introduced to the dental chair and instruments during the first appointment. Sometimes the presence of a child’s friend or sibling who has been to the dentist and has had positive experiences with the procedure also helps.
Dental health is a very important part of a person’s overall health. It is crucial to keep your child excited and motivated to take care of their teeth. Helping and teaching your child to properly care for their teeth is very important to prevent oral health problems later in life. A regular visit to the dentist twice a year helps overcome the fear of the dentist and is beneficial for the child’s teeth and the health of their whole body.