Parents urged to help children learn good dental care

Parents have been urged to help children learn good dental care habit right from the start by making brushing fun and enjoyable.

The Senior Brand Manager of Macleans Milk Teeth, Mr. Emeka Uchenna, observed at a free dental screening programme for children in Lagos on Children’s Day that, “You cannot engage a child in a boring activity and the earlier parents understand this, the better for the whole family.

“I encourage parents to always supervise and monitor their children not just when they brush their teeth; find time to be involved in their lives; show them love and care and I believe that these will go a long way in helping them achieve the brighter future we all hope for.”

He said the toothpaste was specially formulated for children between ages one and six years old as a way of reinforcing good oral health among children in Nigeria.

The free dental screening programme, which spanned three days, was also used to raise awareness among parents and guardians about the need to maintain healthy oral care for their children and wards.

Uchenna said it was formulated with the right child-safe amount of all the active ingredients in the adult toothpaste especially fluoride. ‘’The quantity of fluoride in children’s toothpaste is absolutely important because of the possibility of dental fluorosis, a dental condition which leaves the teeth pitted and mottled, due to too much fluoride in the system as a result of swallowing of toothpaste during brushing,” the brand manager added.

He said the toothpaste has 500ppm of fluoride which is safe for children at that tender age, adding that it contains active calcium protection specially formulated for strong healthy milk teeth and gums. This, according to him, comes in gentle minty taste, soft texture and natural peppermint flavour.

At the event, dentists examined children to determine the healthiness or otherwise of their mouth and educated parents on how to best meet the dental needs of the children. Fun methods of brushing and encouraging regular brushing in children were discussed and parents were charged to take personal responsibility for inculcating the healthy habit of brushing every morning and night among the children.

Uchenna further advised parents, “Use a pea sized amount of the toothpaste on a soft toothbrush for children. Ensure children spit it out after brushing and rinse thoroughly since children would naturally want to swallow it because of the sweet taste.”

Source:punch