17 Sep MindChamps Preschool Oral Health Program
Benefits of a Preschool Oral Health Program The pre-schoolers were given an Oral health Program talk at Vivid Dental Surgeon, a new dental clinic nestled in Tiong Bahru. They learned about the importance of teeth, dental care and how to prevent tooth decay. By the end of the session, they learned how to maintain a healthy set of teeth daily, and were given a goodie bag each.
From the age of 6, the set of baby teeth will be replaced by adult teeth. Practicing proper dental care will help your child keep their adult teeth permanently. There has been a worrying figure of tooth decay among pre-schoolers in Singapore. Parents often assume that baby teeth are not permanent and so they do not require as much care. Reports have shown 38.4% of pre-school population have severe early childhood decay. (The Straits Times, 12 June 2017) What is the best way to avoid cavities? To avoid cavities it involves a combination of daily brushing and eating the right food. Sugar, in particular, produces an acid that removes calcium from the teeth. It damages the enamel coating, causing bacterial tooth decay and the formation of cavities. A child must always brush their teeth after consuming sweets or meals.
What is a dentist? The dentist is a doctor who is specially trained to care for their teeth. When they visit for a check-up, the dentist will look at the teeth and gums to check for any problems. The dentist also wants to make sure the teeth are developing properly as they grow. And that it is important for them to visit your dentist every 6 months to make sure their teeth and gums are healthy. What happens at the dentist’s office? After your name is called in the waiting room, you will head into the dental room to sit down on a huge recliner. The chair will allow you to rest your head, and lots of room to stretch your legs. Next, to the chair, there will be a sink with a cup for you to rinse your teeth out after cleaning. On the side, you will find equipments for different dental services, such as teeth scaling and polishing.
Dental Check-up One of the first people you will meet in the dentist’s office is the dental hygienist. They know all about keeping teeth and gums clean and healthy. They will look inside your mouth to make sure your teeth are growing properly, and gums are healthy. A bright overhead light will shine into your mouth, so that they can have a good look inside.
The dental hygienist will clean and polish your teeth, using dental tools. The tooth scraper removes plaque from your teeth. Plaque is a thick, sticky layer that coats your teeth. It contains bacteria. Plaque that isn’t removed from your teeth can cause decay or cavity. Next comes brushing and flossing. The toothbrush is a small, round tip that moves round to clean your teeth. It is a little grittier, almost like sand as it helps polish your teeth as it cleans. Thereafter, they will floss your teeth and show you the proper way to brush and floss at home. Flossing involves using a piece of waxy string called dental floss to get between your teeth. It removes food particles your toothbrush can’t reach. Checking for Cavities During your visit, the dentist will take x-rays or pictures of your teeth. They show cavities hiding between your teeth and problems beneath your gums. It does not hurt to get an x-ray and it takes only a few seconds. For the x-ray you will need to place a thick vest over your chest, to protect your body from the high-energy waves. You will need to place a piece of plastic that will hold the x-ray film into your mouth. Bite gently on the plastic and hold still for a few seconds while they snap the x-ray picture.
Fluoride Treatments Fluoride makes your teeth strong and prevents cavities. A fluoride gel or foam will be applied to your teeth. The fluoride treatment will take about 5 minutes. The dental hygienist will inform you not to eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after the treatment. Healthy habits start young and will carry over to adulthood. A child who does not brush his teeth, or visit a dentist regularly, will not do so in adulthood. A child with healthy teeth will have good self-esteem and confidence. We should acquaint the child with a dentist on a positive note and not when the pain hits them. We at Vivid Dental Surgeons will be able to help you with this process. Call us at 6227 7708 to arrange for a Preschool Oral Health Program with us for your school or kid(s)!
Vivid Dental Surgeons: 71 Seng Poh Road #01-43, Singapore 160071 Contact: +65 6227 7708 Website: www.vividdental.sg