Dental child care
When should the child’s first visit to the dentist take place?
By the child’s first birthday, timely education of parents is essential—particularly for preventing early childhood caries (baby bottle tooth decay), managing dental trauma, and providing guidance on proper tooth cleaning.
What are the most common diseases of the child’s mouth?
The most common issues are tooth decay and gingivitis. Tooth decay (caries) causes progressive destruction of teeth and is the most frequent infectious disease in children. It is not hereditary. Gingivitis is the most common gum condition, characterized primarily by symptoms such as bleeding during brushing, redness, and swelling of the gums.
How can these be prevented?
A preventive programme includes:
- Teaching proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing)
- Local fluoridation by the dentist which increases the resistance of the tooth to caries attack (every 6 months – after the age of 3-4 years)
- Preventive fillings of holes and fissures (these coverings are placed by the dentist after the first and second permanent molars have grown, i.e. at the age of 6-7 and 12-13 years)
- Changing dietary habits (limiting the frequency of sugar and carbohydrates in general)