Did you know that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in childhood? Infact, 40% of children have tooth decay by the time they enter kindergarten.

Some parents may think that it’s not a problem since they’re just baby teeth, but research shows that tooth decay and cavities might affect the development and alignment of their future adult teeth.

They are even linked to other health problems in the future, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Tooth decay and cavities are easy to prevent, yet many parents tend to take it lightly and ignore the proper steps to keep their children’s teeth clean and healthy.

Don’t Skip Fluoride

We’ve all heard about how too much fluoride is bad for a child.

While this is true, most parents interpret this as skipping fluoride altogether, which is a big mistake.

While fluoride-free toothpaste may be able to clean, they offer little to no protection against plaque and tooth decay.

The trick is to use the recommended amount of toothpaste – grain size (1-3 years old) or pea size (3+ years old)

Avoid Sticky Sweets

Sugar is bad for teeth, especially the kind that sticks to your teeth.

So that means sweets like toffee, gummy bears caramel and even dried fruit, are not the best choices for snack time.

For healthy teeth and gums, limit their sugar intake and ensure they brush their teeth right after.

Supervise Brushing

Sure we want our kids to be independent and all, but not when it comes to brushing their teeth.

Most children (especially ones below 6-years-old) don’t brush all of their teeth and sometimes hardly any of them.

So instead of sending them to the bathroom while you get busy with your phone, be involved.

Do it yourself if you must – at least until they’re are older and understand what they need to do.

Wipe Them Clean

At a time when brushing isn’t convenient, wiping your child’s teeth and gums can help in maintaining their oral hygiene and avoid plaque build up.

Individually packed and sterile tooth and gum wipes can be really helpful when you’re out and about.

PIGEON Children’s Toothgel is co-developed with leading Paediatric Dentist in Singapore to effectively prevent tooth decay in children. It is made with dentist recommended level of 1,000ppm fluoride that helps strengthen tooth enamel and prevent cavities.

PIGEON Baby Tooth & Gum Wipes are free from alcohol, colouring, artificial fragrances and preservatives. It is sterilized with individual sachet and made from 100% food grade ingredients.

Originally developed for Pigeon Malaysia on Parenthood.my