CANDY FOR ME
Do
you let your toddler indulge in candy and sugary drinks, under the mistaken
notion that even if tooth decay sets in, it is not serious? You might
think it does not matter that much, as milk teeth will fall and be replaced
by a permanent set of teeth. Well, this indulgence could affect her
permanent teeth as well. According to Dr Asha Karunakaran and Dr Ong
Yean Sze of the Singapore
Dental Health Foundation, in a letter to the Straits Times (ST 10
June 2000), 'baby teeth serve important functions'. Kids need healthy
teeth to chew their food, to speak and to smile. Baby teeth also help
maintain space for the adult (permanent) teeth. If kids lose a baby
tooth prematurely, the teeth beside it will drift into the space it
occupied. When it is time for the adult tooth to erupt, there may not
be enough space for it. This may lead to crooked teeth, and in other
cases, cause the tooth to be stuck either in the bone or against other
teeth. The doctors also highlighted the danger in taking a lot of fizzy
drinks, which can cause as much damage to teeth as eating sweets and
candy. So parents, if you are guilty of going easy on your child's intake
of sugary food, do think again, and start her on good dental habits.
Email editor@eqparent.com on this topic
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