Trick or treating may lead to some toothy problems – here’s the solution.
Halloween comes with a stack-full of candy and fun times. But the trick is not to go too hard on the treats for fear of dental trouble once the night has passed. Ahead of the candy-licious event, on October 31, we asked an expert about the most common tooth issues children face during this season and how they can deal with them.
What’s the most common teeth issues kids face during this season?
In general, dental caries (cavities or tooth decay) is the most prevalent disease in children. According to the World Health Organisation, more than 530 million children suffer from caries of baby teeth around the world. In the US, untreated cavities in children under the age of three is the most common chronic early childhood disease and is five times more common than asthma.
"Start brushing as soon as the first tooth comes out."
What are some of the things we may be doing in child rearing that’s having a detrimental effect on kids’ teeth – for instance, letting a toddler fall asleep with a milk bottle in his mouth?
The most common cause of cavities in toddlers, also called Early Childhood Caries, is putting a child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice. The sugar content in these beverages will pool around the teeth and mix with cavity-causing bacteria that will damage and rot your baby’s teeth.
Another big factor is a diet high in sugar or high in carbohydrates. Frequent consumption of food and drinks that are rich in sugar and starches puts your child at a high risk for cavities.