Oral and Dental Care Begins in Childhood

The mouth is the beginning of the digestive system and remains open to the external environment, making it a highly favorable place for microorganism growth. Therefore, oral and dental care that is not performed correctly, regularly and effectively can cause disease in oral tissues and teeth. Beyond health concerns, neglected oral and dental hygiene results in poor appearance, negatively affecting a person's psychological, social and physiological life. Proper oral care and regular tooth brushing are the keys to a beautiful and healthy smile. So what are you doing to protect your oral health? Dt. Eylem Uslu, dentist at Avrasia Hospital, provided information on ways to maintain oral hygiene.

Dental care begins in childhood

To have healthy teeth in adulthood, proper oral and dental care should be maintained from childhood. Primary teeth, which begin to emerge during infancy and complete their development between 2 and 3 years of age, gradually fall out and make way for permanent teeth. Neglecting primary teeth because they are destined to fall out causes tooth decay and premature loss, which negatively affects the health of permanent teeth. When parents provide correct oral and dental care education during childhood and establish proper habits, the child is more likely to have healthier teeth in adulthood. Families should perform regular dental care themselves, along with their children who regard their parents as role models. Using toothbrushes and toothpastes suited to the child's preference will make oral and dental care more enjoyable and will help your child develop a tooth-brushing habit. Attention to tooth loss in adulthood! In adulthood, particularly around age 25, bone formation begins to lose its superiority over bone resorption. Therefore, you should pay much greater attention to your oral and dental care to prevent tooth weakening and tooth loss. In particular, you should consume sufficient amounts through diet of calcium, vitamin D and phosphorus, which are found in milk and dairy products and are important for dental health. In adulthood, in addition to tooth decay, the frequency of gum disease increases. You should regularly clean plaque that covers the tooth surface and hides below the gum line, which can cause gum recession and inflammation. Additionally, if tartar buildup has occurred, you should consult a dentist to have the tartar and plaque removed. It is a myth that tooth decay and loss are normal during pregnancy and that it is inadvisable for pregnant women to undergo dental treatment. In pregnancies where proper attention is given to nutrition and oral care, tooth decay and loss can easily be prevented. Furthermore, it should not be forgotten that dental treatment can be applied in pregnant women when deemed necessary by a dentist. How should regular oral and dental care be performed? Points to pay attention to for effective oral and dental care during childhood and adulthood:

• Teeth should be brushed at least 2 times daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush using upward and downward movements at a 45-degree angle.
• The front, back and chewing surfaces of each tooth should be brushed adequately.
• The tongue should be cleaned with a toothbrush or tongue cleaners.
• Using dental floss after brushing helps prevent tartar and plaque buildup.
• After brushing, use mouthwash for more effective oral cleaning.
• You should minimize consumption of sugar and sugary foods that cause plaque and cavity formation on teeth.
• Tea and coffee consumption, which cause staining on teeth when used excessively, should be reduced and tobacco use should be avoided as much as possible.
• Particularly during childhood, fluoride supplementation should be applied as recommended by your dentist when necessary.
• You should have regular dental checkups at least every 6 months.