Oral hygiene: A crucial starting point
In the years of infancy, a development aspect that’s neglected is the consequences of oral hygiene. Post-childbirth, breastfeeding is the 1st step of immunity building. Breast milk is the storehouse of nutrients and antibodies that are required by the body to maintain health and well-being.
Formative Phase of Oral Health
The early phase of nurturing comes with a plethora of complexities in hand. During the phase of breastfeeding, it is crucial to take care of and pay attention to the oral health. “Milk bottle syndrome” is a concerning condition that arises with prolonged exposure to bottles during sleep hours. Elongated exposure to sugar in milk may create an environment for dental caries. In addition, the ailment can impact the child’s ability to chew along with hampering digestion and general wellbeing.
Holistic Wellness
Harmful bacteria and pathogens are a concern for the oral cavity. Subsequent and constant ignorance of these signs can lead to fever and inflammation as oral hygiene is affected by severe infections. Such scenarios not only impact oral health but are a major cause of a toll on overall well-being, significantly highlighting the link between oral health and systemic health.
Optimum development
The surface function is to maintain the right chewing habit paving the path for meticulous oral hygiene practices. Thus, the breakdown of food particles ensures digestive processes are working optimally for nutrient absorption – a major player in a child’s initial years of growth for skeletal development, muscular growth, or cognitive acuity.
Overall health
Nutrition is a catalyst for the physical and mental growth of the child. Alongside this, the maintenance of teeth, tongue, throat, and lips is pivotal in maintaining oral cavity cleanliness. The phase of transition from primary to permanent teeth can impede the latter’s normal growth if any disruptions occur in oral hygiene.
The habit of brushing
Integrate the practice of brushing twice daily in the day-to-day routine. Good oral health practices foster healthy gums and oral tissues laying the groundwork for a lifetime of oral practices. This integration would have a long-term well-being for sustained oral health.
Nurturing Oral Health
Comprehensive growth for a child is nurtured by nutrition and oral hygiene is the keystone of the process. The child must follow consistent practice and formulate thumb principles. The synthesis of nourishment and oral care sets the stage for not just a radiant smile but a holistic journey toward sustained health and development.
Avoid Thumb sucking
Many children, while transitioning from breastfeeding and bottle feeding, may develop the habit of thumb sucking to prolong the psychological sensation of sucking. This can incorrectly push the developing front portion of the upper jaw, known as the PreMaxilla, forward, leading to malocclusion or improper teeth alignment. It can also impact the appearance of the child. To prevent these issues, children should be discouraged from habits like thumb sucking, pencil sucking, and tongue thrusting. If such problems arise, correction by an Orthodontist is necessary. To maintain the oral hygiene of your kid’s teeth I suggest their regular check-ups by general dental surgeons & Pedodontist.
The author is a well-known Dental Surgeon from Mumbai with International Celebrity Practice. He is now a Consultant in Oral Cancers.