Dental Health of Hispanic children
Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors the national month for dental health of children to emphasize the importance of dental hygiene in children. The campaign’s main function is to emphasize the importance of dental hygiene, instill good dental health habits in children and encourage parents to bring their children regularly to the dentist. The campaign theme for 2010 is: “To have a bright smile, is important to brush and floss.”
The importance of dental health
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than a quarter of preschool children have tooth decay. Also, before age 19, almost 66% of children have cavities in their permanent teeth.
Available figures suggest that children from low-income and racial minorities are those who suffer from tooth decay. In fact, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health , Hispanic children are less likely to receive preventive dental care to children from other demographic groups, which is very worrying, because the preventive dental care reduces the chance of tooth decay and other conditions such as gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and permanent loss of teeth.
There are several reasons why racial minority children lack dental health preventive services, including the cost of these services, the lack of dental insurance, the low participation by dentists in dental public health programs, and the geographical distance these services.
Cavities
Cavities are the most common chronic dental among children living in the United States. Cavities are the result of the presence of bacteria on the teeth too (we all have a bit of bacteria in our mouths, as it converts sugar into acid food). However, an excess of bacteria, in combination with food debris between the teeth and saliva, forming plaque (a sticky substance that adheres to teeth and if not removed by brushing the teeth can become tartar ). Both the plaque and tartar irritate the gums, causing gingivitis.
In addition, dental plaque contains acids that can dissolve the enamel (mineral layer that protects the surface of the teeth), creating voids (cavities) in teeth. Cavities generally do not cause symptoms until the gap reaches the dental nerves, causing pain or tooth fracture. Cavities can also marry abscesses and tooth loss.
How to prevent tooth decay in your children?
There are several strategies to prevent tooth decay. First, it is important that our children eat a balanced diet and limit snacks that are high in sugar.
Another important aspect of dental hygiene is to brush your teeth at least twice a day. To do this, do not expect children to grow much. As you leave your newborn her first teeth, can be cleaned with a damp cloth or a toothbrush without toothpaste newborns, since the teeth at this age are still very fragile and babies not yet eating food particles that can leave teeth.
Experts also recommend not letting your baby sleep with a bottle in his mouth, as the continued presence of liquids such as juices and milk, can damage the teeth.
The two year olds can begin to brush their teeth using a small amount of toothpaste that contains fluoride, which prevents tooth decay. It is also important to teach your children the proper techniques for brushing your teeth, especially the mouth rinse after brushing.
The use of thread or dental floss at least once a day also helps to remove plaque and food particles that remain between the teeth and gums.
If you have teenagers, talk to them about the health risks of cigarettes and other products containing snuff, and how they can stain your teeth. The chewing snuff, for example, can cause lesions in the mouth and lips, swollen gums and tooth loss.
If your children are doing sports or strenuous activities, experts recommend that you wear protective gear, including helmets and mouthguards.
Visits to the dentist
The children of one or two years should see a dentist at least once a year. After this age, children should see their dentist every six months.
Some states in the United States add fluoride to drinking water. Fluoride is a chemical. If your home does not have drinking water with fluoride, which can check with your local water and sewer-check with your dentist the best way to care for their children’s teeth as well as the use of dental sealants (a layer protective plastic that is placed on the surface of the molars to protect them from decay).
Prevention is the best strategy to reduce the likelihood of dental problems. Cavities, for example, can cause pain, difficulty chewing and may cause your child has learning disabilities and behavioral problems.
Good dental health, combined with proper nutrition and access to dental health services, can reduce the incidence of caries in the teeth of our children.
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Tags: Dental Health, dentists in dental, Good dental health, Loss of teeth, public health programs