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71 T he mouth is a window into your overall health. An adult’s general health is intimately related to their oral health in childhood and adolescence, as oral health care habits formed in this period tend to continue for the rest of one’s life. It can’t be stressed enough how important oral health care is during childhood. 1. Pre-teething period (0-6 months): Sterilize eating utensils frequently Newborn babies usually don’t have teeth until they are 6 months of age, which is a relatively safe and stable peri- od for overall health. Despite this, frequent sterilization of a baby’s feeding utensils should be mandatory during this time. Oral hygiene should also be conducted by swabbing the mouth with sterilized wet gauze. 2. Teething period (6-24 months): Reduce the risk of tooth infection The first tooth tends to erupt around the sixth month of life, along with the symptoms of teething, which involve drooling, mild fever and restless sleep. Physiologic lacer- ation wounds from erupting teeth could lead to infection, since 6-month-old babies tend to have frequent contagious diseases and symptoms like bacteremia, fever and herpetic gingivostomatitis. Sterilized teething rings or teething toys may be helpful to alleviate or avoid systemic infection. As the baby teeth erupt, finger brushing without toothpaste is wise. Toothpaste is not recommended (the baby could swallow a lot of it). Clean white gauze can help to evaluate the baby’s oral hygienic state. If its color turns yellow from cleaning, more frequent cleaning is recommended, as yel- low is the common color of oral bacterial plaque. As a result of a systemic hormone called melatonin, spontaneous salivation stops during the night, and any food retained in the mouth during sleep can cause tooth decay. In order to avoid this, it is very important to not give your baby food just before bedtime. 3. Baby teeth period (before 6 years): Teach good brushing habits to your children, and be prepared to help. After about 24 months, 20 baby teeth will have emerged and will last for several years. Periodic check-ups are re- quired to search for tooth decay. Although many young chil- dren gradually begin to enjoy the independence of brushing on their own, extra brushing by Mom or Dad is recom- mended. Young children’s dexterity is simply not developed enough for meticulous cleaning. A horizontal scrub method is sufficient — the shape of baby teeth makes them easy to clean — and dental floss is recommended, too, since the common area for food impaction happens between the rear teeth. Frequent fluoride application is helpful to reduce dental decay, such as using fluoride toothpaste, fluoride rinse, fluoridated water and professional fluoride applica- tions. 4. Mixed dentition period (elementary school age): Increase brushing time. Listen for a distinct squeaky sound As children reach age 6, the first permanent adult teeth erupt in the lower front and back of the mouth. Children of this age tend to brush with a light touch, like a painting motion, which is not sufficient for removing plaque. If the dental plaque is completely gone, you’ll hear a squeaky sound when you rub a finger along the tooth; it sounds the same as rubbing a finger across glass. After the child brushes their teeth for several minutes using a vigorous motion, you should begin to hear this. The first permanent molar erupts at age 6 and will need a sealant. The second year of elementary school is also a good time for treating anterior crossbite and supernumer- ary teeth (early treatment is needed for these conditions in order to prevent a prognathic or retrognathic chin). 5. Adult teeth period (middle and high school age): Demonstrate good oral hygiene habits Emotionally unstable adolescents tend to neglect good oral hygiene. Hormonal changes not only create smelly feet and body odor, but also bad breath. Although their peers’ tooth-brushing habits will be influential, the adolescent will be further guided if their parents are role models for good oral hygiene. So brush your teeth well, and show a keen interest in your own oral hygiene. In middle school, as the second permanent molars erupt, preventive dental sealants are recommended. Most mal- occlusions like crooked teeth, snaggletooth and crowding could be treated effectively with comprehensive fixed ap- pliances. After graduation from high school, the third mo- lars (wisdom teeth) tend to create pain and decay. Proper treatment can be provided by making regular visits to your dentist. oral health care during childhood Seong-Oh Kim, D.D.S., Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Pediatric Dentistry Yonsei University Dental Hospital Soedaemun-gu Yonsei-ro 50 Seoul, Korea For further dentistry information or reservations, please call Ms. Aeri Jo, the English coordinator at Yonsei University Dental Hospital. +82 2 2228 8998 +82 2 363 0396 aerijo@yuhs.ac 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul www.yuhs.or.kr/ en/hospitals/dent_ hospital/Conserv_ dentist/Intro COLUMN • YonSEI UnIVERSItY DEntAL HoSPItAL