Taking care of your child’s oral health during Diwali
It's Diwali time, the season of celebration that begins now and lasts until the end of the year. This festival is also about having fun, frolicking, and, of course, eating. It's hard to imagine a celebration without food, without elaborate mithais prepared for friends and family, ladoos and jalebis enjoyed by the family, and children running around with sweets stuffed in their mouths.
As much as this scenario conjures up happiness and fun, there is a lot to deal with after the festivities are over, the most important of which is BAD TEETH and oral problems. Sweets and delicacies are unavoidable, as are the consequences of indulging in them: bad teeth, bad oral odour, and, in children, the first signs of caries and gum trouble.
As much as we enjoy snacking on food during Diwali and afterwards, there are some unwelcome visitors snacking on the food collected in our and our children's mouths, which if left untreated or unattended to, can cause a slew of problems, many of which are already known.
What are the most common dental caries in children during Diwali [but also throughout the year]?
Caries and Plaque Sugary foods contribute to tooth decay. Period. Whether you give your child something mildly sweet or chocolates and sugary desserts, they will cause tooth decay and eventually caries. Another important consideration is the frequency with which they are consumed.
Eating different types of foods almost always results in something remaining in the mouth, debris that accumulates between teeth and gums. Bacteria in the mouth feed on all of these foods. In the case of sugar, these bacteria feed on the carbohydrates in sugar, particularly refined sugars found in desserts, to produce acids that combine with saliva to form plaque. Plaque builds up on the teeth over time, causing tooth erosion and caries.
2. Bad Odor - Because of infrequent brushing and rinsing of teeth, accumulated food build-up causes an additional set of issues. One example is bad breath odour. Acid buildup in the mouth from leftover food causes further damage to the teeth, resulting in bad breath. The tongue is also a bacteria storage area and contributes to it.
3. Dry Mouth - The more you eat, the more saliva is produced; however, the more sugars you consume, the faster that saliva is depleted, resulting in dry mouth and bad breath. Dry mouth can cause frequent gum irritation, pain, inflammation, and swallowing difficulties.
How can I protect my child's oral health during Diwali (and other holidays)?
Despite the harm that sweets can cause during this season, Diwali would be incomplete without them. You can't really stop the kids from eating what they want. Here are a few traditions to observe during this holiday season:
1. Brush the children's teeth twice a day, or more frequently if necessary. Never put them to bed without cleaning their mouths and brushing their teeth, no matter how long the day has been or how tired and sleepy they are. This will benefit them in the long run by instilling a good habit.
2. Prevent children from snacking frequently in between meals. This helps to reduce food accumulation in the mouth while also lowering sugar exposure. Allow them to eat whatever they want, but only in one sitting.
3. Use a straw to drink juices, milk, and other liquids. Sweetened liquids stay on children's teeth longer than solids. Using straws reduces their contact with teeth and makes it easier to remove them when brushing.
4. Make sure they drink a glass of water or rinse their mouth after eating sweets. This will help to loosen any accumulated food particles and prevent further damage.
5. Eat sweets and sugary foods during meals, not before or after. Consuming juices or snacks throughout the day provides bacteria with a fertile environment in which to grow and thrive. Allowing children to eat sweets with their meals, on the other hand, ensures that the other foods prevent the sugars from sticking to the teeth and remaining in the mouth.
6. Limit the use of sweet treats to reward good behaviour. Snacking on sweets on occasion is fine, but keeping children occupied with such foods for distraction or as a reward for a good job sends the wrong message. This not only affects their behaviour but also their teeth.
7. Brush, rinse, and clean the mouth to ensure that nothing remains in it. This cannot be stressed enough. Brushing all areas of the teeth, especially the back and molars, cleaning the tongue, and flossing the mouth as much as possible ensures that the festivities do not leave children with harmful, long-term effects.
Children can and should celebrate Diwali by indulging in sweets, but it is our responsibility as parents to ensure that their teeth and dental health do not suffer as a result.