BABY
decay teeth should be brushed twice each day, with a fluoride containing toothpaste. Children should be supervised brushing their teeth until they are 7 years old, and should be advised not to swallow the toothpaste while brushing. They should also not rinse their teeth after brushing, as this will allow the toothpaste time to protect their teeth. Sugary foods and drinks should be kept to a minimum and for mealtimes only, with plain mild and tap water the safest drinks for teeth. It is important for parents and carers to register their baby with a dentist as soon as possible.
to help keep their body functioning properly and hopefully preventing constipation. From birth, breast milk will be most beneficial for a newborn baby, however, from the age of one year, if the parent is no longer breast- feeding full-fat cow’s milk can be given as a substitute. Milk contains
calcium which is important for the growth and development of bones and teeth in children. Pasteurised cow’s milk is a suitable substitute as the main milk drink until the child is at least two years old. Babies up to the age of two have high energy needs compared to older children
NELSONS TEETHA TEETHING GRANULES
When baby’s first tooth starts popping through it can be a tough time for both mum and baby alike, a Nelsons® Teetha® survey has revealed over a third of parents (39%) surveyed find it the most distressing ailment[iv]. Why not give Nelsons Teetha Teething Granules a try? They are a homeopathic medicinal product used within the homeopathic tradition for the symptomatic relief of teething pain and the symptoms associated with teething which are sore and tender gums, flushed cheeks and dribbling. Always read the label.
www.nelsonsbaby.com Trade Order Number: 020 8780 1290
and to adults, resulting in a need for a high fat diet. When the baby is 6 months of age, tap water is the most appropriate drink between meals. Making tap water the drink of choice helps to build good habits in terms of the child’s expectations, rather than sweet drinks. The majority of baby drinks have a high sugar content and as such cause tooth decay – these drinks are best avoided. Similarly fruit juices, which are a good source of vitamin C also contain natural sugars and are also acidic. Acidic drinks can quickly damage baby’s teeth. Small amounts of pure, unsweetened fruit juice can be diluted half-and-half, or with a larger proportions of water to juice if the child is thirsty. Diluting juices and fizzy drinks contain sugars and artificial sweeteners. It is not recommended that people give these drinks to children. If diluting squashes or cordials are served, it is best that these are well diluted and restricted to mealtimes.
TOOTH DECAY
Plaque causes tooth decay and is made of small amounts of food, saliva and natural bacteria found in the mouth, which break down foods resulting in an acidic environment. The main causative factor in tooth decay is sugar. Sugars are broken down by the bacteria present on the surface of teeth, to acids such as lactic acid which weaken the surface of the tooth. In the short term these effects may not be visible, but over time a hole will appear in the tooth5
In the community pharmacy, parents and carers often ask questions relating to their child’s oral health. Simple measures such as appropriate staff training to understand new products available, clear merchandising to direct the patient to the most appropriate item, and having a true understanding of best practice will encourage patients to make healthier choices for their children.
Providing the highest standard in care and advice will also help to keep sales of oral health items in the community pharmacy under the supervision of healthcare professionals. It is worth noting that having a comprehensive understanding of dental health will afford pharmacists the opportunity to help reinforce positive healthcare messages that are concurrently being delivered from other areas of the healthcare team – true disciplinary healthcare. •
REFERENCES:
1. World Health Organization website. Accessed on 7th March 2016. Available at:
www.who.int/topics/ oral_health/en/.
2. Scottish Government statistics website. Accessed on 7th March 2016. Available at:
www.gov.scot/ Topics/Statistics/Browse/Health/ TrendDentalHealth.
3. Child-smile website. Accessed 7th March 2016. Available at:
www.child-smile.org.uk/parents-and- carers/birth-to-3-years-old/babys-
first-drink.aspx
4. The Sloman Economics News website. Accessed on 8th March 2016. Available at: http://
pearsonblog.campaignserver.
co.uk/?p=15638.
.
The more often a child eats or drinks sugary items the greater the chance of tooth decay. To help prevent tooth
44 - SCOTTISH PHARMACIST
5. Dentalcare website. Accessed on 7th March 2016. Available at:
www.dentalcare.com/media/en-US/ education/ce371/ce371.pdf.
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