ECE1006504.ppt

ECE1006 Health in Early Childhood

Lyn Bower - ToowoombaLindy Austin & Di Small - Wide Bay

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Teeth have three main purposes...

• eating

• speech

• appearance

Oral hygiene - we keep our mouths healthy

by...• cleaning every surface at least twice a day

• using a soft bristle toothbrush and fluoride

• using dental floss

• maintaining a sensible diet

• having regular check up with the dentist

Dental care…• starts before pregnancy and continues

• considerations - morning sickness, hunger, x-rays, hormones, lack of ‘routines’ and self care

• mediation - permanent discoloration of baby teeth

Healthy teeth…

Plaque...•is full of bacteria and can contribute to bad breath

•contributes to dental caries

•see page 2 of Building healthy teeth for life

Calculus...• calcification of plaque if plaque is not removed from

teeth

• forms most commonly around saliva ducts

• usually found behind lower front teeth

• usually white/cream colour - black if very formed under the gum margins

Gingivitis...• if teeth are not cleaned daily plaque forms

around the gum margins and acts as an irritant - resulting in gingivitis

• characteristic - swollen or puffy red

• will bleed easily

• is reversible - needs regular brushing

Periodontal disease..• gingivitis left untreated may progress to

periodontal disease

• the bone and gingiva have receded and will not grow back

• is not reversible

Dental caries/dental decay...

• is preventable

• sugar or starchy products increases the frequency of teeth being exposed to acidic saliva

• prime sites are the grooves on the biting surfaces of the back teeth

Oral health for babies…avoid• giving babies dummies with honey or other

substances

• don’t use a bottle as a comforter

• avoid giving babies juice - use water

• bacteria is easily transferred - kissing, blowing on food, bottle or dummy in mouth first

• don’t share food or drinks with babies

Teething...• teeth form while the baby is developing in the

uterus

• normally erupt about 6 months

• first teeth are incisors followed by molars and canines

• a 21/2 year old usually has 20 teeth

Teething...• at six permanent of second teeth appear

• by 13 years 28 teeth (not including wisdom teeth)

• primary and permanent teeth have same basic structure

• primary teeth whiter and more widely spaced

Structure...• central core or pulp containing blood vessels and

nerves

• dentine bulk of the tooth and covers core or pulp

• dentine is covered by enamel - harder than dentine - no nerve supply

• roots of teeth covered with bone-like material

Signs of teething...• dribbling, pulling ears

• flushed cheeks, raised temperature

• cranky baby, irritability

• pain, discomfort in mouth

• swollen red gums

• chews on everything

• restless by day, sleepless at night

• loose bowel motions

Easing teething pain...• teething rings, rusks etc

• rubbing teeth and gums with clean finger

• teething gel (children over 4 months)

• paracetamol if needed

• seek medical advice if...

Do...• start cleaning as soon as teeth appear

• start dental visits between 18-24 months

• give water instead of sweet drinks

• introduce a cup asap

• establish a healthy diet

• avoid comforters

Why are baby teeth so important...

• help the face and jaw develop properly

• teeth are needed for eating

• speech formation

• hold space for permanent teeth

Tips etc...• brush all five surfaces

• apples and carrots do not necessarily clean teeth - milk and cheese act as buffers

• fluoride tablets not needed

• children under 6 should use low fluoride toothpaste

• use soft brushes - model and be consistent

Dummies and thumbs...• sucking is a normal development

• do not dip in sugary foods or honey

• always have two - cleanliness

• remove when sleeping

• don’t clean by putting in adults mouth

• both thumb and dummies can cause problems with jaw development