Can a baby’s saliva really determine if decay is likely?

Schools are banning all drinks except for milk and unflavoured water in an effort to quell sky high rates of tooth decay amongst young British children. But the ban is proving too late for many children, with many school head teachers noticing that far too many new students are arriving for their first day with rotting teeth.

Good oral health should start from birth.

You can take your child to see a dentist before they even have teeth. Registering your child at a dentist from birth ensures they have a dentist who is able to see them throughout their childhood. Even if your child is yet to spurt teeth, a dentist can check to see how they will grow.

Acidic saliva in babies could signify potential decay.

A new study which has discovered saliva samples taken from the mouth of 1-year-olds can predict future decay. This solution could prove a lot less painful than admitting children to hospital for extractions.

Testing the acidity of our little one’s saliva could indicate where decay may be present or may occur. This would highlight to us where we really need to pick up and improve on our kid’s current oral health routines. Children who have particularly acidic saliva are more likely to suffer from tooth decay. Without treatment, tooth decay can lead to your child needing extractions, which can be painful. Extractions can also make eating, drinking and talking more challenging.

Good oral health in children.

Ensuring children are brushing twice a day with a good toothbrush and the correct toothpaste is vital. We also need to encourage kids to floss and make sure that they attend regular dental appointments.

We also need to look at our children’s diets. While we might be avoiding sugary treats where we can at home, think about what they might be having at school. If your child gets school lunches rather than taking a packed lunch, it’s likely there will be plenty of hidden sugars in their meal. Things at first glance we might think are healthy: smoothies, yoghurts, flavoured milks are all packed with sugars. If your child has these foods 5 times a week, that’s a whole load of sugar. If you can, try to limit sugary snacks to the weekend or as treats!

Find your child a dentist.

If you’re worried about your child’s oral health or need to register them with a dentist, head to our website www.defactodentists.com to get started. Simply search your location and from the menu on the left, select ‘child friendly’. Once your search has been narrowed, browse the practices near you. Read reviews from existing patients and get to know the practice teams. Then, pick the practice that best suits you and your child’s needs.

The better care your child takes of their teeth from a young age will ensure they have healthy teeth throughout adolescence and adulthood.