Introducing your child to brushing teeth

The Kenya National Oral Health Survey report, released in November 2015, found that 99.6 per cent of children aged five have bleeding gums. The report cited several reasons – including low frequency of brushing as well as lack of brushing. Which begs the question, when is the right time to introduce a baby to teeth brushing?

“Proper oral hygiene starts after six months,” says Dr Supa Tonje, a paediatrician at Adora Children’s clinic in Kitengela. “This is the time babies start growing teeth and exclusive breastfeeding ends.” Supa adds that brushing should start as soon as the first incisor appears. The team that conducted the survey, from University of Nairobi, found low frequency of brushing. At least 47.6 per cent of the children interviewed adhered to brushing once a day.

According to Dr Kisia Mitch, a dentist, children should brush their teeth at least twice a day: After breakfast and before going to sleep. There is something more pertinent though, he argues. It is prudent that the parent – or guardian in charge – supervises and assists. “Every child below ten years should be assisted by an older person to brush teeth. They are yet to master the proper way brushing should be done. If they are left to brush on their own and they are not doing it well they will still suffer from caries, gum bleeding and decay,” Mitch says.

In every five year old in the survey, there was 1.87 teeth that presented with either decayed, missing, or filled teeth. The solution to teeth bad oral hygiene, adds Tunje, is not in denying children sweet foods.“As long as a parent adheres to the right style and frequency of teeth brushing they shouldn’t worry about dental carries, gum diseases and such illnesses that come with bad oral hygiene,” she adds.