Dr. Ashmita Sudhakar

My son just turned seven years of age and is beginning to develop dental caries. I try not to give him sweets, colas and other sugary drinks. What else should I do to protect my son’s teeth?
— Ramya Vaidyanathan, Chennai
A few simple measures can prevent dental caries. It is not only sweets that harm teeth. All foods residues, including milk, cause bacterial growth and can damage teeth when they remain in the mouth. A simple way to prevent cavities is to rinse the mouth after every meal. Ideally, chidren should brush their teeth after every meal. Since that is unlikely, the best option is to rinse the mouth or gargle after every meal. Drinking water also helps. Brushing teeth in the morning and night should be mandatory.
Indulging in frequent snacking also makes children susceptible to caries. Avoid snacks between meals, especially packaged foods. This apart, there is preventive care such as fluoride therapy. Once in six months or annually, fluoride therapy is advisable to prevent dental caries.

My eight-year-old daughter’s teeth are protruding. What type of dental braces do you recommend? Girl children are very conscious of their physical charm. How long should she use them?
— Meenakshi Vinay, Mumbai
There could be many reasons for tooth protrusions at that age. Sometimes it’s self-correcting. This may be the outcome of thumb-sucking, pushing teeth forward with the tongue, or skeletal growth deficiency. She will need braces. Consult a dentist for advice on the appropriate treatment after clinical examination and radiographs. She will suggest the most appropriate type of braces that are also appealing, and in the long run, will correct her teeth. Depending on the diagnosis and treatment, the duration of use will vary. The important thing is to visit a dentist early to avail corrective treatment.

My 12-year-old son has black spots in the centre of one of his teeth. It doesn’t hurt but regular brushing hasn’t helped. Is it a cavity? Will it improve with proper brushing or should I visit a dentist?
— Siddhi Vinod, Bengaluru
One of the biggest problems of dental health is that people visit a dentist only when they experience tooth pain. Many parents aren’t aware that early intervention can prevent long term dental problems in children. From the day a child’s first tooth erupts, annual check-ups are important and necessary to diagnose and correct dental problems.
Your son may have dental caries. If it is not taken care of now, it will spread and taint the entire tooth as well as other teeth. This is the right time for a dentist to intervene and prevent it from spreading. That way, we can save the tooth for a lifetime. Once children’s primary teeth fall out, the remaining teeth need to last a lifetime. Therefore protecting every tooth is necessary. Consult a dentist at the earliest!

Dr. Ashmita Sudhakar is a dental surgeon, Akshaya Dental Care Centre, Bengaluru

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