The growth process

Teeth are not only used for chewing food, facilitating its swallowing and subsequent digestion; they also play an important role in social interrelations, favoring the emission of sounds and facial esthetics -especially smiling and gestures-.

Bad oral hygiene habits cause cavities, sores, infections, intense pain and loss of teeth that affect the general health of children and interfere in their full development, preventing them from playing, attending kindergarten or school and provoking bullying from their peers.

The best way to protect children's oral health is to start cleaning the baby's mouth every day at an early age; teach them hygienic oral habits and visit the dentist periodically to check the teeth and receive specific instructions on their care.

How to fight tooth decay and periodontal disease (gingivitis)?

Tooth decay and gingivitis are the most common oral diseases. Both are caused by prolonged accumulation of microorganisms - dental bacterial plaque - on the surface of the teeth, gums and restorations.

Therefore, brushing the teeth at least twice a day with a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste will reduce the risk of caries and gingivitis. Additional elements of interproximal hygiene such as dental floss, interproximal brushes and mouthwashes should be used after brushing the teeth.

Important: Only toothpastes containing 1000 parts per million (ppm) or more of fluoride have an anti-cavity effect and are therefore recommended for oral hygiene from the beginning of tooth eruption.

When and how to perform oral hygiene for our children?

You should start cleaning your baby's gums -even if he/she does not have teeth yet- from the first days of birth. To do so, it is recommended to gently rub the gums, tongue, palate and the inside of the cheeks with a piece of wet gauze or a silicone thimble.

After the eruption of the first temporary or "milk" tooth, around 6 to 8 months of age, it is mandatory to start brushing the teeth twice a day, in the morning and especially in the evening. A silicone thimble or a very fine bristled toothbrush for infants can be used, moistened with a fluoride infant rinse.

In children under three years of age, brushing twice a day with a 1000 ppm fluoride paste with a "rice grain" amount flush with the brush is recommended.

In children older than 3 years of age, a 1000 ppm fluoride toothpaste can be used with an amount that covers the transverse size of the toothbrush. At this age the spaces between the molars usually close, so flossing is recommended before nighttime brushing.

In children over 6 years of age, a 1450 ppm fluoride toothpaste can be used with an amount that covers the width of the toothbrush head.

To reduce the risk of caries, parents should correctly brush their children's teeth at least twice a day until they are 7 years old and continue to supervise them until they are 9 or 10 years old.

What foods favor the appearance of caries in children?

Foods rich in sugar and fermentable carbohydrates -cookies, cookies, sweets, industrial beverages, diet soft drinks, packaged juices, chocolates, etc.- are the main responsible for the appearance of caries.

Dietary recommendations to reduce the occurrence of tooth decay in children

• Do not add sugar or honey to milk, yogurt or natural fruit juices.
• Offer natural fruits instead of sweet desserts during meals and snacks.
• Offer cheese, natural yogurt, whole wheat bread, etc. instead of sweet cookies, candies and soft drinks.
• Do not allow snacking throughout the day.
• Avoid offering milk in the middle of the night to children over one year old.

Bad oral habits

Bad oral habits are those habitual practices performed by children that can affect their oral health, causing malocclusions, "bad bites", and dental caries, among other disorders. The most frequent bad oral habits in children ar