Beautiful smiles are crafted from the beginning

By – Dr. Laleena Rajkumari
A month-long celebration for world oral health day with the theme “A happy mouth is a happy life” as this theme paves from coast to coast, Pedodontists in Manipur emphasizes on minimizing the dental problems in children with certain preventive actions that last forever. So why wait until it pokes for ouchhh!!! There are certain preventive measures that is implicated on particular tooth at right age such as Pit and fissure sealants and Fluorides with the integration of dietary counselling, there is profound impact in the prevention of dental caries.
What are the preventive approaches?
Pit and fissure sealants: –
Dental caries (tooth decay) remains one of the most common oral health problems worldwide. The chewing surfaces of molars and premolars contain natural grooves and depressions known as pits and fissures, which are highly susceptible to decay. Pit and fissure sealants are an effective preventive measure used in modern dentistry to protect these vulnerable areas. The recommended age group for the application of sealantsare: 6-7 years of age (when the first permanent molars erupt) and 11 to 13 years (when the second permanent molar erupts). Regular check up at 6 to 12 months intervals for any reapplication required.
Fluorides application: –
Fluorides are compounds containing fluoride ion (F{ ) used to prevent dental caries by increasing tooth resistance to acid attack. It enhances remineralization of enamel thereby inhibiting demineralization. Topical fluoride application is the best way for prevention of caries. Fluoride application can be categorized age wise as follows 0–3 years:-Type: Fluoride toothpaste only (rice grain size); 3–6 years:-Type: Fluoride toothpaste (Toothpaste amount: Pea-size); 6–12 years Type: Fluoride toothpaste  and Fluoride mouth rinse (if the Child can spit properly); Adolescents & Adults (12+ years) Type: Fluoride toothpaste  and Mouth rinses for those adults with high caries risk, orthodontic patients, poor oral hygiene .
Diet Counselling for Dental Caries: –
Diet counselling encourages non-cariogenic foods promotes protective dietary habits and reduce frequency of fermentable carbohydrate intake. Dietary habits that reduce occurrence of dental caries are as follows: –  1. Control Sugar Intake: Limit sticky and retentive sugars such as(toffees, candies, chocolates), avoid frequent snacking on sugary foods and reduce hidden sugars (soft drinks, packaged juices); 2. Frequency Over Quantity: Frequent sugar intake is more harmful than total amount, avoid sipping sugary drinks over long periods and restrict sweets to mealtimes only; 3. Avoid Sugary Drinks: Limit the soft drinks, energy drinks and sweetened milk/tea always encourage the child to take water after snacks, milk without added sugar is better to consume rather than the added sugar; 4. Encourage Protective Foods: Cheese, milk – increase calcium &phosphate. Fibrous foods (fruits, vegetables) – stimulate saliva, Sugar-free chewing gum – increases saliva flow; 5. Infant Feeding Advice: to avoid putting child to bed with bottle (milk/juice) and to clean gums/teeth after feeding.
As the saying goes “A little fire is quickly trodden out” so timely prevention “save time and safe bind”.