ECE1006 Health in Early Childhood

Lyn Bower - ToowoombaLindy Austin & Di Small - Wide Bay

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIACopyright Regulations 1969

WARNING

This material has been copied and communicated to you by or on behalf of The University of Southern Queensland pursuant to Part VA of the

Copyright Act 1968 (the Act).

The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further copying or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act.

Do not remove this notice.

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