The FDI World Dental Federation has established World Oral Health Day to fall on September 12 with the aim to commemorate a day for an occasion for global, regional and national awareness related to oral health.
In conjunction with this anniversary, we would like to share with you some of the common dental issues that most people often overlook, especially for young people.
We use our mouth actively. Teenagers and school-going children, in particular, tend to have snacks and sweets in between meal times and studying. Thus, they are more prone to having dental decay.
These days, many snacks and sweets contain a lot of sugar. Sugar tends to adhere to the teeth and encourage the formation of plaque. Dental caries is the most common chronic disease worldwide, affecting quite a number of children.
How to control the sugar rush:
- Have proper meal times – Eating during meal time usually poses less of a threat to teeth because of the sufficient saliva produced during eating. It is best to eat treats with or after meals when saliva is still plentiful in the mouth to wash away the sugars and acids which may lead to cavities
- Alternatives (dairy products) – Apart from limiting intake of candies and chocolates, chooose healthy snacks as an alternative, such as cheese and vegetables (e.g. carrot sticks, fruits). Dairy products or anything made from milk is a good source of calcium, which is essential for bones and teeth
- Brush and floss regularly after Meals – Children like to imitate their parents or older siblings. Thus, parents can be good role models when it comes to establishing good oral habits, such as brushing and flossing regularly after meals, rinsing, or drinking a glass of water after candy consumption.
Find out more about children’s dentistry on the Specialist Dental Group website. You can also make enquiries or request an appointment with one of our dental specialists.
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