[Kok! Health] "If your child is young, I don't recommend electric toothbrushes"... What is the proper dental care method?

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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-joo] Oral hygiene management during childhood and adolescence, when teeth are just emerging, baby teeth are falling out, and new teeth are coming in, should start with forming good habits. If parents and children gradually develop healthy habits at home?from brushing teeth and using dental floss to regular dental check-ups?brushing will not be a burdensome, annoying, or difficult task but rather a refreshing, enjoyable, and natural part of daily life. Furthermore, this enables systematic care of the teeth that will be used for a lifetime.

Use Fluoride Toothpaste Once They Can Spit on Their Own... Electric Toothbrushes Are 'Supplementary Tools'

If a child cannot spit out toothpaste yet, use fluoride-free toothpaste, and once they can spit on their own, switch to low-fluoride toothpaste. Generally, low-concentration fluoride toothpaste contains 400?500 ppm fluoride, and only a small amount about the size of a pea should be used. Various toothpastes are available on the market, so choose one that suits the child's preferences. If a child is sensitive to taste or smell and strongly dislikes toothpaste or keeps swallowing it, it is okay to delay toothpaste use and brush with just a toothbrush.

Before the first tooth emerges, wipe the inside of the mouth gently with gauze soaked in boiled water wrapped around a finger. Once the first tooth appears, brushing should ideally start immediately. When there are only a few teeth, it is recommended to use a silicone finger toothbrush, and after molars come in, switch to a children's toothbrush. Instead of a specific brand, use a size appropriate for the child's developmental age and oral cavity size. Using an electric toothbrush is not bad, but to cultivate brushing habits, it is better to use it as a supplementary tool rather than relying entirely on it.

Professor Kim Mi-seon, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Gangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital.

Brush Thoroughly While Lying Down

If a caregiver brushes the child's mouth facing them directly, some areas may be missed because the inside of the child's mouth is not clearly visible. Therefore, lay the child down on the floor as if in a dental examination chair or hold the child from behind like an embrace and look down from above. Use one hand to lift or pull the lips or cheeks and brush thoroughly without missing any spots. If children want to brush by themselves, allow them to do so to develop good brushing habits, then the caregiver should finish by brushing again. Until about second grade in elementary school, when the first permanent molars come in, children cannot brush accurately on their own, so caregiver assistance is necessary.

Even before all molars come in, if food gets stuck between teeth or the child shows discomfort, use dental floss. After both baby molars have erupted, flossing must be done after brushing. Various types of dental floss are available on the market. Purchase and use the type that the child likes and finds easy to use. The purpose of flossing is to remove food debris stuck between teeth, so the floss should be pulled carefully to clean between the teeth thoroughly.

Start Dental Check-ups from the First Tooth

Pediatric dentistry textbooks recommend the eruption of the first tooth as the time to begin the first dental check-up. However, in practice, it is uncommon to visit the dentist immediately at this time. It is recommended to visit the dentist when the first tooth appears or, at the latest, before the child turns one year old. Receiving regular check-ups in good health is the most effective way to maintain oral health. After the first tooth erupts, it is advisable to check whether tooth eruption is progressing properly, whether oral hygiene is well maintained, and to receive counseling on diet, as well as to continue regular check-ups.

The government also provides free oral health screenings for infants and toddlers. From birth to 14 days up to 71 months of age, a total of 8 health check-ups and 4 oral examinations are provided free of charge. Oral examinations include oral interviews, examinations, and oral health education. The first examination is between 18?29 months, the second between 30?41 months, the third between 42?53 months, and the fourth between 54?65 months.

If adults first demonstrate thorough oral hygiene habits, children tend to imitate them. It is also good for the whole family to gather, turn on a timer or music, and brush teeth together enjoyably until finished. When brushing becomes a natural part of daily life, children will feel the discomfort of a coated mouth when they skip brushing and will want to brush on their own, making sure not to miss any spots. (Advice by: Professor Kim Mi-sun, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kangdong Kyung Hee University Hospital)

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.