ORAL hygiene is often neglected when kids are young.

Grandma usually has a jar of sweets on the kitchen table for when the young ones visit. So has the barber. And, oddly enough, the local doctor.

Probably that explains the poor state of oral hygiene among many of our pre and primary school kids.

When he was around about 5 years old, I noticed that my eldest boy was – in comparison with his cousins – rather ‘sickly’. If someone sneezed, he would catch a cold.

One day, out of sheer frustration with my local GP who didn’t seem to be able to fix the problem except to prescribe more and more tablets, I asked my work colleagues if they knew a good pediatrician.

My good friend Gwen said she didn’t know a pediatrician but her doctor – a relatively young fellow of about 35 – was very good at diagnosing kids illnesses.

I made an appointment and brought my son along. After a thorough check-up, the doctor declared: “Your son needs to see a good dentist. His teeth and gums are in a bad state. That’s why his immune system is down.”

What! I would have thought rotting teeth and gums were an old person’s problems. But a five year-old?

Well, off to the dentist we went – and not only did he confirm the doctor’s diagnosis but proceeded to give us a lesson in how to care for our child’s teeth.

Here’s the lesson I’d like to share with you:

- Good dental hygiene habits begin before the child’s first tooth appears. Wipe your baby’s gums with a soft damp cloth after feeding to prevent bacteria build-up.
- When teeth appear, start using a soft children’s toothbrush twice a day.
- Start using fluoride toothpaste once he or she is of pre-school age.
Just a little bit of paste on the brush is all you need.
- In Western Australia, for instance, the State Government has decreed
that tap water must include fluoride. You can give your child fluoride tablets if fluoride-treated tap water is not available in your area.
- Fluoride tablets must be prescribed. Children six months old can take
fluoride tablets daily. But stick to the prescribed dose – no more, no less.

The dentist also shared with us more information, including susceptibility to cavities.

Back to grandma and her sweet bowl. Kids are at risk of cavities if they eat a lot of sugary foods (like raisins, candy and sweets) and drink sweet drinks.

But others at risk are kids born prematurely or were very, very light at birth (below the acceptable level), those with ongoing special health problems, have white spots or brown areas on any teeth and do not go to the dentist often.

Other family members should also take good care of their teeth and gums. Those with lots of cavities can pass the cavity-causing bacteria to babies and children.

Teeth should be brushed at least twice a day and the whole family needs to visit a good dentist twice a year.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as cheese and crackers, are teeth-friendly snack foods that should be encouraged rather than sweets.

Make an annual pilgrimage to your dentist to make sure all is okay with your child’s teeth. Besides, it will make him or her more comfortable with the dentist and not fear him (or her).