As a parent, you know it’s your job to give your kids all they need for the best start in life until they are ready to look after themselves.
The first thing they need is love, but you have got that covered in spades.
The next thing is health and here is where it starts to get a bit more complicated.
Parents play an integral role in maintaining their child’s overall health.
Amongst all the challenges that new parents face, you may not have thought much about the link between your child’s dental health and their overall general health.
Studies show that oral health is an essential component of general health.
The adoption of good oral health habits in childhood is influenced by parents.
Dr Carol Donadio, wants to encourage pregnant women to visit the dentist for a comprehensive oral examination and a dental hygienist for their gum health assessment early in their pregnancy as there is a strong link between the dental health of the parents and that of their children. “The first thing people think of is genetics, but that only plays a small role compared to homecare, diet, habits and professional dental care and education received.
At our dental practices we provide parents with oral health education and all the tools they need so that they can confidently look after their children’s oral health, especially in the first three years, prior to their first dental visit.”
Dr Donadio is educating her patients to understand that children are not born with cavity-causing bacteria.
The bacteria are acquired from birth onwards, usually from their mother or primary caregiver. “They are transmitted by doing things like sharing a spoon or sharing food, especially if a parent has an unmaintained mouth.
When an infant gets these bacteria, their risk of dental decay goes up.
I am on a mission to create awareness of the importance of parents having excellent dental health themselves to give their kids a better chance of having good oral health for life!”
So how do you ensure your kids have the best dental health possible?
Dr Frances Shearer says: “The first thing I want all parents to know is that most dental disease is preventable. This means that you have the power to ensure your kids don’t need fillings or extractions or have gum disease and the potential social stigma of bad breath and crooked teeth. As a mum myself, I am conscious of my own eating habits and oral health regime as I know my daughter will mimic these.”
Dr Shearer recommends the first visit to the dentist or dental therapist when your child is around three years old. “Starting this oral health habit early will make dentist visits part of your child’s normal activities. At our dental practices, we even have special days dedicated to kids’ oral health. We make it fun and interactive for them, and most importantly they leave happy and wanting to come back to see us.”
Dr Becky Dudman, wants to encourage all parents to:
– Ensure they are dentally healthy to minimize transmission of their mouth bacteria;
– Reduce sugar and starches in parents’ and kids’ diets;
– Brush their kids’ teeth and tongue twice a day;
– Treat flossing as important as brushing;
– Regularly visit your dentist and make this a family affair; and
– Give kids fluoridated tap water rather than bottled water.
At our centres of dental excellence we provide you and your kids a planned, team approach necessary to achieve an excellent dental health for life, with the convenience of keeping all your dental visits in one place.
To enquire about a family visit rebate or get more information at a Kids’ Health Day, please call:
Q Dental 9817 5050 In Boroondara or in Stonnington call: Dental Off Chapel 9510 5198
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