Even baby teeth need a lot of care

Day of dental health - Proper care important for the deciduous dentition

09/24/2014

The Day of Dental Health 2014 will focus on the dental health of children and adolescents this year. This year's motto „Healthy starts in the mouth - a heart for teeth!“ should point out that Germany has already achieved much in terms of oral health, but this success many children pass, says the Association for Dental Hygiene. The Kassenzahnärztliche Vereinigung Nordrhein (KZVNR) explained with regard to this year's motto that the association is a slogan „A heart for children“ definitely intended. „Because especially on the dental and oral health of the young and the youngest a special attention should be paid“, so the message of the KZVNR.

Since small children are not yet able to independently look after a sufficient oral hygiene, according to the experts, here are the parents, but also the other parents involved in a special obligation. Although is located „Germany in the decay of caries, especially in children and adolescents in the international top“, but this is only one side of the coin, explained Dietmar Oesterreich, Vice President of the Federal Dental Association, at the central press conference on the Day of Dental Health 2014. In particular, children from socially disadvantaged families hardly benefit from the improvements, according to Prof. Oesterreich. Here is a veritable polarization. „Depending on the age group, it can be assumed that 60 to 80 percent of all carious teeth account for a group of 10 to 30 percent of children and adolescents“, stressed the Vice President of the Federal Dental Association. Here it is missing „Caring in the sense of precautionary thought“, Not least because the families often do not have the necessary knowledge about precautionary possibilities and risks for dental health.

Care by the pediatrician not sufficient
To overcome the deficits in the dental health of children, according to the experts, the educational work in the day care centers and schools is of particular importance. The increase of infant caries on the deciduous teeth in infants up to the age of three makes it clear that „The care alone by the pediatrician in the first three years of life obviously not enough to reduce the risk of illness“, so Professor Austria. Therefore, the provincial dental communities offer a group prophylaxis in the care facilities, in which not only the right brushing teeth explained, but also to be informed about essential aspects around the dental health. In addition, the children usually receive free dental care utensils such as toothbrushes, toothpaste or cups. The care staff in the facilities should also be made aware of the topic of dental health in order to identify possible dental problems at an early stage. Because often the children come with tooth decay too late in the dental office, reports Professor Oesterreich.

Milk teeth are particularly sensitive
The Senior Physician at the Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Hannover Medical School (MHH), Dr. med. Reinhard Schilke, explained at the central press conference on the day of dental health, why the dental hygiene in small children is of particular importance. „In the first years after the teeth have broken through the mouth, they are particularly sensitive“, so Schilke. Accordingly, it is easier for bacteria to attack here. Also remain in infants of the so-called Nuckelflaschenkaries continue to be a problem. According to a study in Hamburg, 15 percent of one- to two-year-old children already had tooth decay, with 80 percent of those affected having the typical symptoms of a „Suction bottle caries“ showed, reports the expert. Apparently still many parents fill the Nuckelflasche with sweetened drinks. Here, the experts see significant deficits in the knowledge of parents on the importance of the deciduous teeth for the physiological and neuromotor development of children. Last but not least, the deciduous caries also leads to more tooth decay on the permanent teeth.

Parents pass on caries bacteria to children
Furthermore, many parents are not aware of the fact that they can transfer the caries-causing bacteria to their children. If the parents lick the baby's pacifier or spoon, the germs get into the little ones' mouth, where they can multiply and begin their destructive work. If the parents themselves have dental problems, the likelihood of passing on harmful bacteria is additionally increased. Here, therefore, appropriate caution is required. The professional societies also advise to go to the dentist for the first time as soon as possible with the children. Thus, possible problems with dental health can be recognized and treated in good time. In addition, the little ones are taken the fear of visiting dentists.

The dental health of people in need of care also needs special attention
Although the dental health of children is the focus of this year's Dental Health Day, other groups in society also need increased care for their oral health, said Manuela Schäfer, consultant for contracted dental care at the GKV Spitzenverband, at the press conference on the day of the dental health. „This year's motto can also be applied to the group of people in need of care as well as people with disabilities and limited everyday abilities“, so shepherd. Here, the statutory health insurance have already taken the first steps to improve the supply situation. For example, in the sense of improving the dental care of home residents, the service catalog has been expanded. For those in need of care would need regular and systematic dental care for the longest possible preservation of dental and oral health. (Fp)