Don't wait: save Their teeth now

For decades, children have been given the promise of money, for every milk tooth lost. For some, it is the tooth fairy, while for others it is a special rat that takes the tooth and leaves money instead, as long as the tooth is placed in the right place. 

“But the older one gets, the more they take their teeth for granted, only seeing a dentist when the damage to the tooth is beyond repair,” laments Dr. Isaac Okullo from Makerere University’s dental school. 

“That is why people believe that for any toothache, a tooth must be removed.”

“See a dentist as soon as symptoms like bad breath and a persistent toothache begin to manifest.”

“You are not alone. Studies indicate that 90% of adults have had tooth decay,” asserts Okullo, adding that 33 of every 100 Ugandans have poor oral hygiene. Habits known to propagate bad breath include eating sugary foods, snacks, poor oral care and irregular, if any, dental check-ups.

He made these remarks during a one-week dental clinic recently organised by the Rotary Club of Kampala North. 

Club president Geofrey Semakula said given the low income of a majority of the 1,500 beneficiaries of the clinic, dental care was another item on the list of luxuries for them.

“Surviving on less than a dollar a day is not easy. Instead of paying regular visits to the dentist, these people would rather meet their immediate needs,” Semakula observed.

Rosemary Nansubuga, 71, one of the beneficiaries from Nakaseke said: “I have had a tooth problem for over half a decade. The first doctor I visited cemented it, which took the pain away for a while. The second doctor drilled my tooth and also prescribed some medication, but the pain persisted. That is why I preferred to have it removed, at least I will have some sleep today.”

John Kityo, another beneficiary, said he could not trust dentists. 

“They always say the treatment is not painful, but as soon as I see a pair of tongs, needles and hooked mirrors, I know what to expect, pain from the bottom of my foot all the way to the tip of the hair on my head.”

To reduce the incidence of dental ailments, Okullo recommends eating fresh cassava, molokony (cow hoof stew) and munching on a maize cob.

“Carbohydrates are ideal when it comes to the teeth also control the culture of eating junk food because it renders the brushing of teeth of less consequence,” says Okullo adding that one lodges lots of debris between the teeth, which is a fertile ground for germs to multiply.

“The solution is to have your teeth brushed at least twice a day — if not after every meal. This ought to be in the morning after waking up and at night before one goes to bed.”

The symptoms presented when one has bad teeth are headaches, bad breath and pain in the jaws. Okullo observes that, unfortunately, even among the learned or budding middle class, many visit a dentist when their teeth are in the advanced stages of decaying.

Do I need to clean my baby’s gums before his teeth come in?

Yes. Even before the first tooth, it is a good idea to get into the habit of wiping the gums with gauze or a soft wet washcloth during bath time. 

Wrap the cloth or gauze around your index finger and rub it gently over his gums. Getting your baby used to having their mouth cleaned as part of a daily routine should make it easier to transition into tooth brushing later on.

What is the best way to deal with first teeth?

As your child’s teeth start to appear (generally about six months), look for a baby toothbrush with a small head and grip suitable for your hand. Use a tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste, probably about the size of a grain of rice (or a thin smear). Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening the enamel and making it more resistant to acids and harmful bacteria. Your baby can get fluoride from toothpaste and from water.

Twice a day, gently brush on the inside and outside of each of your baby’s teeth, as well as his tongue (if you can), to dislodge bacteria that can cause bad breath. 

Remember to replace the toothbrush as soon as the bristles start to look worn or splayed.

Keep your baby’s teeth healthy
-Avoid giving juice to your baby. Whole fruit is far better and contains the dietary fibre that fruit juices lack. Giving your baby water is the healthiest option when he needs extra fluids. 

-If you use a pacifier, do not dip it into any sweet substance. 

-Do not add sugar to your baby’s food. He is not born with a sweet tooth – the preference for sweet foods is something they learn. 

-Clean your baby’s teeth thoroughly at bedtime! The natural production of saliva decreases during the night, which means the rinsing action is reduced. This causes harmful bacteria in the mouth to settle more easily in your baby’s teeth. 

-If you need to give your baby oral medication, you should do it before you brush their teeth, rather than afterwards. Most oral medications for infants contain sucrose (a type of sugar).