The tooth fairy is cool again
May 14, 2010
A traditional reward programme to encourage children to take good care of their teeth has just become cool again with the launch of Twentieth Century Fox’s Tooth Fairy movie (28th May).
As Dwayne Johnson’s rendition of the tooth fairy hits cinema screens nationwide, local dentist, Sandeep Mohal says it’s the perfect opportunity for parents to remind their children of the importance of brushing their teeth and eating the right foods.
He said: “Evidence suggests that the later you get your first cavity, the better your lifetime of oral health will be,” said Sandeep Mohal. However, milk teeth are sometimes dismissed because they ‘will fall out anyway’. In fact, they should be brushed with just as much care and attention.
“Teeth grow healthy and decay is totally preventable. Although regular visits to the dentist are important, much of the work to keep teeth and gums healthy is done at home. Parents should not underestimate their role in the supervision of the twice-daily tooth-brushing routine. The recommended age to keep a watchful eye on your children as they brush is seven,” said Sandeep Mohal
“As children naturally prefer sweet food, the challenge is to balance their diet by giving them the food they love while looking out for their teeth and gums. The trick is to encourage them to eat sweets at the end of a meal, rather than constantly nibbling throughout the day,” said Sandeep Mohal
Top tips for parents to remember:
• take your children to the dentist from as young an age as possible to familiarise them with the sounds, sights and smells before they even have to sit in the chair
• brush with a fluoride containing toothpaste for two minutes, twice daily
• supervise children’s brushing up until around the age of seven years
• cheese is a great way to finish off a meal as it neutralises the acid levels in the mouth which attack/soften the enamel
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