On this Children’s Day, it’s good to remember the importance of brushing teeth for little ones. Simple tips can prevent the appearance of cavities, such as the use of fluoride toothpaste and creating the habit of cleaning teeth after night breastfeeding. Who warns about these precautions is the coordinator of the Brasil Sorridente program, Gilberto Pucca. “It is fundamental to brush from the appearance of the first milk teeth”, he explains. He also clarifies that cleaning the teeth of babies does not necessarily need to be done with a toothbrush, but can be performed with a piece of clean cloth. “The father, mother or guardian should start cleaning the surface of the tooth that appeared right after the child ate”, he points out.
Gilberto Pucca explains that milk teeth must be cleaned. “It is not because they are going to be exchanged that they are not important. These first teeth help with chewing and maintain space for the permanent teeth.” Baby teeth also prevent possible occlusion problems and may prevent the child from having to use orthodontic appliances. The first teeth are fundamental for the oral health of children”, he reinforces.
Another important tip is the use of fluoride toothpaste for children. “No fluoride toothpaste is recommended. However, it is good to monitor so that the child does not end up ingesting the paste routinely”, emphasizes the coordinator. Another care that parents should take is with the night bottle and the use of sugar, which should be avoided so as not to damage the child’s teeth. Cow’s milk, liquid or powder, has natural sugar and does not need to be sweetened with sugar or chocolate.
“It is a mistake to breastfeed a child at night and let him sleep without cleaning his teeth. Cavities can arise as soon as teeth appear. When the first surface of the tooth appears, it is already exposed to external aggression, so that small piece must already be cleaned, ”she clarifies.
Data from the 2010 Oral Health survey show that 44% of children aged 12 are free of cavities. In 2003 this percentage was 32%. The results show advances in child oral health care, but also indicate that parents cannot neglect.
SMILE BRAZIL – The Ministry of Health has an oral health policy that caters to all age groups. The focus of Brasil Sorridente is to expand and qualify access to assistance, health promotion and disease prevention. Children can be assisted by the Oral Health Teams, which work together with the Family Health Teams and at the Dental Specialty Centers, in more complex cases.
The Brasil Sorridente program is also aligned with the Rede Cegonha strategy, with the aim of providing comprehensive care to pregnant women and babies. Pregnant women can have dental appointments to treat their teeth and, if necessary, can obtain guidance on how to clean their child’s teeth.
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