What do teeth and watchmaking have in common?

What do teeth and watchmaking have in common?

What is the state of Polish children's teeth?

The condition of children's teeth varies greatly. There is usually no middle ground; there is either good dental health or a serious problem. Many young patients, around 6-7 years old, come to the clinic needing treatment for most or almost all of their teeth. Unfortunately, the myth that baby teeth will fall out anyway and don't need to be brushed still prevails among parents. Many parents are reluctant to invest in treating baby teeth because they believe these teeth will naturally fall out.

We teach children independence, but when it comes to brushing their teeth, they need our help. At what age should parents stop brushing their children's teeth?

I always emphasize that if parents want their child to have healthy teeth, they must assist until the child is 6 years old. Not just brush for them, but assist. Children need to learn motivation, the importance, and the correct technique of brushing. No one is born with these skills; we acquire them over time. Initially, the child brushes their teeth, and then we correct their technique. If parents help, it's pleasant and encourages further effort. A sense of connection grows, a jointly accomplished task. I always praise the progress made by both children and parents. These are their shared family achievements.

Daily tooth brushing is one thing, but the brushing technique itself is crucial. Not all brushing methods are correct, right?

Enamel is naturally shiny and smooth. Let me explain it this way: if I start scrubbing a smooth surface with straight motions, like sandpaper, I can damage it. However, if I perform the action correctly, using circular motions, the surface becomes shiny and smooth. I always think of an image I saw at a watchmaker's shop. A watch with minor scratches, the watchmaker gently polishes it with special delicate paper, using half-circular motions. Then he rinses the matted dial, blows on it, and shines it with a special liquid. After this process, the watch face becomes smooth and shiny like a mirror. These actions are very similar to our daily tooth brushing.

It's a vivid comparison indeed.

This image has stuck with me since childhood. As a little girl, I used to visit my aunt in Krakow, who was a watchmaker. In fact, the entire family had been in this profession for generations. I observed my uncle working with watches, then his daughter. I was 12-13 years old, and that image of my aunt leaning over a mysterious, shining watch face stuck with me. Many years later, now as a dentist, I visited my aunt again to witness it once more. I believe storytelling through imagery strongly impacts a child's imagination but also resonates with parents. It's easier to incorporate something into everyday life when we understand it, when we can compare it to something familiar. We don't scrub; we make circles – just like polishing a watch face. Let's find ways to reach our children's imagination. It's the best form of education.

Parental Responsibilities

So, it's about teaching, cooperation, but most importantly, parental responsibilities.

If children come to us with exceptionally healthy teeth, congratulations are due primarily to the parents. Until around the age of 6-7, parents are primarily responsible for their children's healthy teeth. This doesn't mean children do nothing during this time; they learn under parental supervision. I often remind parents, especially of 5-year-olds, that their child's permanent molars will come in, which won't fall out. Parents need to teach them proper hygiene. Interestingly, we teach children personal hygiene from an early age, but we often forget oral hygiene. Let's teach our children oral hygiene, just like washing their hair. First, we do it for them, then we show them, and they eventually do it themselves. Correctly.

Parents often make mistakes, unintentionally creating unpleasant associations with the dentist for their children...

Unfortunately. I've heard many statements from parents that have left me astounded, like seemingly joking, 'The dentist is a sadist.' Once, during a mountain hike, I witnessed a tired child refusing to continue walking, and the mother, trying to motivate him, said, 'Either you walk or you're going to the dentist tomorrow!' We need to understand that such statements might unconsciously create negative associations, leading to fear during dental visits. Let's avoid this.

How should we prepare a child for a dentist visit?

We should prepare them appropriately and approach the situation honestly. It's essential to convey that this concerns our health and that we need to listen carefully, trust the dentist a bit, and be open to cooperating. We should never promise that it won't hurt, but we can emphasize that it might be slightly uncomfortable at times. Children trust their parents the most, and it's not good if what we say turns out not to be true during the dental visit. Also, listen to the child, as each one is different.

We need to understand a child's emotions, acknowledging their right to feel worried or scared. However, we mustn't let this fear escalate. We need to make sure the child gradually listens to us. Remember that bridges aren't built in a second. Sometimes, it's a series of small bridges constructed over several visits. Just like in that watch, there comes a moment when everything falls into place and surprises us. I often ask parents discreetly to talk to the child after the visit, not immediately because emotions are still high, but a few hours later. Did anything bother them? If we can prevent something, improve it, we do it.

Let the child get used to the dentist. Don't give up after the first visit. I often compare it to the early years of school. We are assigned one teacher initially to get accustomed to. With time, the child gains trust and feels comfortable seeing the same dentist. It becomes easier.

Let's assist parents. Let's create a list to help teach children proper oral hygiene.

Certainly. Remind them to brush their teeth in the morning, especially after breakfast. Often, children brush their teeth before their first meal. The goal is to clean the teeth from any food particles, among other things. We should brush their teeth together in the evening, with the child brushing first, and the parent correcting. Also, after the evening brushing, the child shouldn't eat or drink anything except water. Thorough and correct tooth brushing twice a day is sufficient to eliminate 70% of tooth decay. Let the child choose their toothbrush and toothpaste. This decision gives them a sense of joy and control. Show them various options – tongue cleaners can lead to fun and laughter in the bathroom. Before a dental visit, remind the child a day earlier, spend some time talking, answer questions, and address doubts. Lastly, set an example. When we floss our teeth or use mouthwash, children see these good habits daily and naturally start doing the same. First out of curiosity and later as a habit.

Lastly, a question: Can children chew gum?

Let's start with something else. We all know that fruits and vegetables support our children's healthy development. It's also worth remembering that hard foods aid in the development of the chewing apparatus, which is continually growing. But here's an interesting fact – don't teach children to eat hard foods like apples right before brushing their teeth. Anything acidic can make the enamel surface dull. If we rub acid on teeth with a brush, we can damage the enamel.

What about chewing gum? It's the same question as chocolate. We need to be cautious. If a child wants to chew gum, and it doesn't last longer than 10 minutes, let them. Once in a while, it won't harm anyone, especially if we maintain good eating habits daily. Childhood is precious, and children remember a lot from it. If sweets are regulated, parents are satisfied, the child is content, and the teeth stay healthy. It's genuinely possible to strike a balance.