Baby & Toddler Dental Health

As our business is affiliated with the Nursery Industry we receive updates and information from them. I have taken this from information I have received this afternoon from them and thought it might be important to new parents and those of toddlers. I find this quite worrying but I do know it can be difficult to ensure a young child's teeth are cleaned properly. My own little boy is 5 and still misses a lot of areas on his teeth so sometimes I have to try to help him but I do feel that these are worrying statistics.

 

The information shows to me that the factsheet is an extremely good idea and may help parents. However, as parents we do not like to be told how to look after our children but nor do we want longterm problems with their teeth even when they are young.  

 

Dental charity supports new push to protect toddlers from dental decay.

The UK’s leading dental health charity has given its full backing to the Infant and Toddler Forum to help achieve a major improvement in the dental health of children under the age of five.

Around one third of children under the age of five in the UK continue to suffer from dental decay. The British Dental Health Foundation is now working closely with the Infant and Toddler Forum to help raise awareness of the issue with health care professionals, parents, carers and guardians.

With diet being an important factor for healthy teeth, the Foundation has already endorsed the Forum’s ‘Ten Steps for Healthy Toddlers’, which covers advice in areas such as eating, drinking and exercise. Both organisations have now combined, during National Smile Month, to produce a new Factsheet called ‘Protecting Toddlers from Tooth Decay’, which provides comprehensive advice on how to care for children’s teeth – including fluoride, medicines, diet, snacking, tooth brushing and bottle-feeding.

Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter, said: “It is really important children develop a good oral health routine from a very early age. It’s also important that the people who care for them have the knowledge and information to help nurture children. Our relationship with the Infant and Toddler Forum creates an excellent opportunity for us to share our experience and advice directly with the people and organisations that have the most influence on children in their formative years.”

Judy More, paediatric dietician and Forum member explains: “Parents often think that tooth decay in children’s first teeth is not important as they will grow their adult set in any case. However, the first teeth are just as important as adult teeth as early loss of the first teeth can lead to overcrowding when adult teeth appear. The Infant & Toddler Forum has produced some simple guidance and tips for parents to help avoid tooth decay in their little ones.”

I would like to hear what your thoughts and opinions on what they are planning. Do you think it is a good idea? Is it necessary? Would you take any interest and follow these "instructions"?