Pearly whites all part of a well child

By CATHERINE MASTERS

Dental issues


The only excuse for tooth decay in children is parental ignorance - and that's a bad excuse, says Dr Bob McKegg, dental expert and past president of the Public Health Association.

Shocking numbers of youngsters are ending up with rotten teeth because parents fail to realise or pass on the importance of oral ageing.

Too many babies and children are reared on sugary drinks - Pacific Islanders are especially fond of giving children sweetened tea.

This leads not only to decay but could set the child up for serious illness in the future, such as diabetes.

Free care


The school dental service still exists and children are entitled to free dental care until the age of 18, provided they are in education.

Parents should enrol their children at the nearest school dental clinic when they are between six months and a year old.

Some schools may not have a resident dental nurse, but either ask at the school or check the notice at the clinic about when the nurse is present.

In rural areas the clinic may visit in a caravan or van. Again, just ask at the school for details.

If the school does not know contact the school dental service based at Waitemata Health on (09) 486-1491.

Fluoride


One of the key messages being promoted in this Well Child Week is the importance of fluoridated water.

Dr McKegg says a recent decision against fluoridation in Onehunga was a public health mistake.

Fluoride makes teeth stronger and, despite controversy about it, Dr McKegg says there is no evidence to show it is harmful.

If water is not fluoridated he says parents need to give their children fluoride tablets every day. These can be bought at a pharmacy.

Sugary Drinks


Unbelievably bad for teeth. Decay in toddlers is really nasty to see and is preventable.

Dr McKegg says stop and think about long-term consequences before rearing children on energy drinks or even sweetened fruit juice.

"People should be very aware that they should not bottle-feed kids with fruit juices that have sugar in them. Look on the label and if there is sugar in it don't buy it."

If the label says pure orange juice, still check the ingredients.

If it contains fructose, that is a fruit sugar and is not as bad, but if it says sucrose or glucose, do not buy it.

Babies do not know they are missing sugar if they are not given it in the first place so help get them into good habits early on. If they get a taste for cola or similar sugary drinks then diabetes may be just around the corner.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot metabolise glucose because of lack of insulin.

Lack of exercise, too much fat and sugar, and being overweight all contribute to developing the disease, which will restrict people for the rest of their life and at worst kill them.

Financial implications are enormous - there are big costs for dialysis, amputations and artificial limbs, and from blindness.

Dr McKegg says it is scary to think diabetes could have started because of an early diet of sugary and fatty foods and a sedentary lifestyle, instead of teaching children to run around and play games.

"Your patterns are established in your early life," says Dr McKegg. "What's comfort food? It's what mum gave you."

Brushing


Dental disease is a bacterial infection which can be prevented by getting rid of the bugs on teeth.

The bacteria live in the enamel prisms of the teeth and eat the food we eat, multiplying especially quickly with sugars to form plaques - soft, gooey mats on the surface of the tooth.

Enamel is dissolved, as are the ligaments that hold the gum to the teeth, and the gums bleed easily.

Brushing and flossing to remove the bacteria are extremely important.

Dr McKegg says brushing teeth by using circular and flicking motions may not be effective in removing the bacteria.

The best way to find your own effective brushing method is to use a disclosing rinse which shows bacteria on the teeth as red - as he did.

Each time he rinsed and found red stain on his teeth he brushed again until the stain was gone. "In other words, I changed my life-time habit of how I used to brush.

"When you can go two weeks in a row and find no dye on your teeth you know you've changed your habits - you're brushing effectively."

Dr McKegg also advises that when a child loses a tooth, within a fortnight a parent should take the child to the school dental nurse, or a dentist, even if he or she is not due for an appointment.

"Because if the school dental nurse can paint fluoride onto that little tooth down in its little crater, it won't ever decay."