Building Vanity in Children

You always offer the simplest to your kid. However what's that one gift that may facilitate create your kid happy throughout his life? it's building vanity in them, giving them a strong sense of self-worth.

What is self-esteem?

Self-esteem is feeling smart concerning yourself, feeling yourself and being content with and happy with United Nations agency you're. If you instill vanity in kids, they'll believe their own distinctive potential as people.

How to develop vanity in children?

Value them : The primary step towards developing kid vanity is acknowledging they're smart at sure things and arouse their facilitate whereas doing those. "You are smart at scientific discipline, are you able to facilitate American state count this?" Developing vanity in kids also can be done by showing them you get pleasure from their company, "I enjoyed our trip to the mall along." Listen to them paying attention after they tell you one thing.

Approve of and praise them : Furthermore, vanity in kids improves once you like their concepts. "That was terribly creative;" and show that you just like their alternative of friends, "Viraj could be a smart friend, let's have him around once more before long." kid vanity improves once you suppose they need done one thing well.

Spend time with them : kids with you defrayal time alone with them, each on their terms and yours. "It's associate in Nursing hour till dinner. What would you prefer to play?" or, "Come and consult with American state whereas I clean my wardrobe."

Show you perceive them : you'll build vanity in kids by imagining however they feel concerning one thing and telling them however you think that it would be tackled, such as, "I grasp you're upset concerning your friend not returning to your party, however will we tend to decision him up and determine what happened?"

Trust them : Kid vanity improves with age-appropriate responsibilities like brushing teeth, obtaining dressed, composition college luggage etc; this helps in building vanity and encourage independence.

Respect them : Conjointly, vanity in kids improves once you compromise and provides them selections to permit some self-determination and autonomy. Your authority isn't undermined once you allow them to win now and then. Apologies to them if you recognize you've got been unreasonable.

Be on their aspect : You build vanity in kids once you become the last purpose of refuge. Be the shelter they will hide in. act as a corroborative friend United Nations agency sees their purpose of read.

Remember, kids will worth, esteem and love themselves providing you've got convinced them that you just have valued, honored and adored them first.

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Caffeine Consumption in Children and Teens

Caffeine is a naturally occurring drug which stimulates the central nervous system and may increase an individual's alertness and concentration. It is the only psychoactive drug (drug which affects the mind or mood) that is legally available to children and adolescents. While caffeine is generally considered safe for consumption in moderation by adults and children, concerns have been raised about the health effects of children consuming large quantities of caffeine.

A United States study reported that 57% of children 9 years and under consumed caffeine. In the US, 31% of 12-17 year olds report regularly consuming energy drinks. An Australian survey found that 27% of 8-12 year old boys consumed energy drinks in the two weeks prior to the survey.

Canadian statistics indicate that children obtain their caffeine mostly from cola beverages (55%) and tea (30%). Chocolate also contributes a considerable proportion of the caffeine consumed by children (14%). Other sources, including medicines contribute only around 1% of children's caffeine intake. A US based survey of children 9 years and under reported similar results. US children obtained 52% of their caffeine from carbonated beverages, 28% from tea, 2% from coffee and 18% from chocolate.

The 2007 Australian Child Nutrition Survey estimated the daily caffeine intake of Australian children for the first time. That survey reported increasing caffeine consumption with increasing age. Children aged 2-3 years consumed 3.4mg of caffeine daily and 4-8 year olds consumed 8.1mg of caffeine. Caffeine intake increased to 19.2mg in the 9-13 year age group and 41.7mg amongst 14-16 year olds. On average, boys consumed slightly more caffeine than girls.

Maximum daily caffeine intake

It is recommended that children and adolescents consume no more than 2.5mg of caffeine per kg of body weight per day.

Safe consumption of energy drinks

A recent trend which has created considerable concern amongst health professionals is the regular consumption of caffeinated energy drinks by children. Most energy drinks contain approximately 80mg of caffeine per 250ml can or about the same amount as a cup of coffee. However, some energy drinks contain as much as 300mg of caffeine. In Australia, legal loop-holes mean that energy drinks sold as "dietary supplements" can contain more than the 80mg of caffeine usually prescribed as the maximum caffeine quantity.

There are conflicting opinions about how much energy drinks can be safely consumed by a child. Some experts believe that only excessive consumption of caffeinated energy drinks poses a health risk, while others believe that even moderate consumption may be dangerous at a young age and that addiction or dependency is likely in children who regularly consume energy drinks. In some European countries(including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Turkey) have banned entirely or placed restrictions on the sale of caffeine-containing energy drinks to children (under 15 years of age) due to concerns about the safety of children consuming the large amounts of caffeine these drinks contain. Australia has recently banned five brands of energy drink with a very high caffeine content (>320mg per litre). In the absence of research demonstrating the safety of caffeinated energy drinks in childhood, some experts recommend a cautious approach and that children should not consume these products at all.

Caffeine is a stimulant which can temporarily increase alertness and improve mood. However, when consumed in excess it may have negative health affects. You can use this tool to calculate your daily caffeine intake.

Few studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of caffeine consumption in children over one year of age and there are no long term studies of the health effects of caffeine consumption in those agedsimilar effectsas caffeine consumption in adults. Then again, children are smaller than adults and will be more sensitive to the effects of an equal amount of caffeine because of their lower body weight.

Behavioural effects

Behaviour may be affected, particularly in children, as caffeine is a stimulant. Some teachers have noted that children who consume energy drinks are impulsive and disruptive in the classroom. Caffeine intake may also result in temporary side effects including irritability, restlessness, difficulty concentrating and sleepiness, particularly in the afternoon. This may in turn affect school performance.

Sleep disturbances

School children who consume >50mg of caffeine per day experience more wakefulness than those who consume ?10mg per day.

Bed wetting

Children who consume caffeine may suffer from bed wetting. Guidelines recommend that children who wet the bed avoid caffeine.

Appetite suppression

Caffeine is an appetite suppressant and individuals who consume excessive amounts of caffeine may eat less. Caffeine containing beverages may also replace more healthy alternatives including milk, water and juice. This is a particular concern for children, whose nutrition may be affected even from consuming caffeine in moderation. Consumption of caffeine in the form of energy drinks may also lead to dehydration during sports and dental problems if the drinks also contain large quantities of sugar.

Food preference, diabetes and obesity

Caffeine affects parts of the brain which make an individual feel rewarded and/or addicted. It is therefore believed that caffeine consumption may influence the food preference of young people who regularly consume sugary caffeinated drinks. For example, young people who regularly consume caffeinated soft drinks may develop a preference for sugary drinks because they feel rewarded when they drink sugary caffeinated drinks. This has potential implications for a child's nutritional status as energy drinks are high in calories and sugar (a 250ml can may contain up to 9 teaspoons of sugar). Regular or over-consumption may increase the risk of nutritional disorders such as obesity and diabetes. In addition, sugary caffeinated drinks which typically have no nutritional value (do not contain vitamins and other healthy micronutrients) may affect a child's nutritional status if they are consumed as substitutes for nutritional beverages such as milk, water and juice.

Increased hyperactivity

Caffeine consumption in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been reported to increase hyperactive behaviour. However, a study of caffeine therapy in children with ADHD reported the opposite. Caffeine therapy reduced aggression, impulsivity and parent and teacher perceptions of the severity of symptoms of ADHD in children. (Please note this was conducted under medical supervision.)

Apnoea (breathing difficulty) of prematurity

Caffeine is one of the drugs most commonly used for treating newborn babies in the intensive care unit. It has been used as a respiratory stimulant in this setting for more than 30 years. Caffeine therapy increases survival rates and improves neurological outcomes in premature infants. A large randomised controlled trial of infants born premature and weighing 500-1,250 grams at birth, reported that those treated with caffeine therapy were 23% more likely to survive without neurodevelopment disability after 18-21 months, compared to infants who did not receive caffeine therapy. Caffeine treated babies were 42% less likely to develop cerebral palsy and 19% less likely to experience a developmental delay. Caffeine therapy also reduced the length of time for which the preterm infants needed machine-assisted breathing.

The effects of caffeine vary from person to person and are affected by size, weight and previous intake of caffeine. Caffeine overdose may occur in children following consumption of relatively small amounts of caffeine. While overdose in adults occurs following consumption of 5-10g of caffeine, children may experience the toxic effects of caffeine overdose following consumption of 1g of caffeine. Children who drink around seven cups of strong coffee (or 12 cans of energy drink) may experience caffeine overdose, which results in a range of symptoms and can be fatal.

Symptoms of caffeine overdose include:

In order to reduce caffeine intake in children, replace their coffees and other caffeinated beverages with calcium rich beverages such as coffee flavoured milk and decaffeinated cappuccino or cafe latte.

For more information on caffeine, including consumption by adults, children and pregnant women, as well as some useful tools, see Caffeine.For more information on nutrition, including information on?types and composition of food, nutrition and people, conditions related to nutrition, and diets and recipes, as well as some useful videos and tools, see Nutrition.?Oddy WH, O'Sullivan TA. Energy drinks for children and adolescents- erring on the side of caution may reduce long term health risks. BMJ. 2010; 340: 64.Ahuja JKC, Perloff BP, Caffeine and Theobromine Intakes of Children: Results from CFII 1994-96, 1998. Fam Economics Nutr Rev. 2001; 13(2): 47-51.O'Dea J & Rawstorne P. Consumption of dietary supplements and energy drinks by schoolchildren. Med J Aust. 2000 Oct 2; 173(7): 389.Health Canada. Caffeine. 2010. [cited 2010, June 23]. Available from: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/food-aliment/caffeine-eng.phpDepartment of Health and Ageing. 2007 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey- Main Findings. 2008. [cited 2010, July 2]. Available from: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/phd-nutrition-childrens-survey-keyfindingsNawrot P, Jordan S, Eastwood J, Rostein J, Hugenholt A, Feeley M. Effects of caffeine on human health. Food Addit Contam. 2003; 20(1): 1-30.Smith PF, Smith A, Miners J, McNeil J, Proudfoot A, Report from the Expert working Group on The Safety Aspects of Dietary Caffeine. Australia New Zealand Food Authority. 2000. Available from: http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/adviceforpregnantwomen/caffeine/safetyaspectsofdieta890.cfmBritish Columbia Community Nutrition Council- School Food Advisory Committee. Caffeine and the student body. 2007. [cited 2010, July 2]. Available from: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/health/caffeine.pdfNational Institutes of Health. Caffeine in the diet. 2009. [cited 2010, June 23]. Available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002445.htmAustralian Drug Foundation. Caffeine facts. 2011. [cited 2010, July 2]. Available from: http://www.druginfo.adf.org.au/drug-facts/caffeineLogan R. Hey ‘cool kid', where's your drink bottle? Sports Nutr. 2006. [cited 2010, July 3]. Available from: http://www.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/144937/hey_cool_kid.pdfLeon MR, Effects of caffeine on cognitive psychomotor and affective performance of children with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Att Disorders. 2000; 4(1): 27-47.Schmidt B, Roberts RS, Davis P, Doyle LW, Barrington KJ, Ohlsson A, et al. Long term effects of caffeine therapy for apnoea of prematurity. NEMJ. 2007; 357(19): 1892-93.Seifert SM, Schaechter JL, Hershorin ER, et al. Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents and young adults. Pediatrics. 2011; 127: 511-29. [Full Text]

Vande Walle J, Rittig S, Bauer S, et al. Practical consensus guidelines for the management of enuresis. Eur J Pediatr. 2012. [online Ahead of print] [Abstract]

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Bullying and Obesity in Children

Childhood obesity is an increasing problem in Australia. Studies suggest that three times as many children are overweight or obese now than 30 years ago. Current estimates in Australia suggest about 20% (1 in 5) children are overweight or obese. There are many complications of children being overweight. These children suffer from a range of short-term psychological problems including bullying, isolation and poorer self-esteem. In addition, there are many long-term physical problems with their heart, bones, hormones and reproductive organs. Most concerning are the links to early onset of type 2 diabetes and heart diseases - which are leading causes of death in Australia. Children who are overweight or obese are also more likely to be of poorer socio-economic status as adults. Australian research also shows that being overweight as a child is a strong predictor of obesity in adulthood.

A recent study in Perth confirms that overweight or obese children are more likely to be bullied than normal or underweight children. In fact, being overweight is a risk factor for being bullied. (Learn more about childhood bullying.) Researchers have now begun to study the relationship between overweight or obese children and different forms of bullying. A study in Canada (which has a similar school system to Australia) showed that overweight and obese children where at increased risk of several types of bullying. Overweight or obese children are more likely to be teased by other children verbally (e.g. name-calling), physically bullied (in boys) and have difficulty because other children stop being friends with them or spread rumours about them. Other children often judge overweight kids with a negative stereotype and associate them with being lazy, selfish and mean because of the way that they look. Both boys and girls who are overweight or obese are more likely to be bullied at primary school because they do not fit into the normal physical stereotype. Obese children are also more likely to be the perpetrators of verbal bullying to other children. By bullying other kids however, overweight or obese children can divert attention away from being bullied themselves. In boys particularly it is presumed this is because they are physically bigger than other children, and therefore can be physically dominant (i.e. pushing). In girls however, there is no advantage in being physically bigger than other children because most bullying is by name-calling (verbal) and relationship bullying.

Understanding the link between bullying and long-term psychological problems in children is important. (Learn more about childhood bullying) When a child is overweight or obese, parents should understand that these boys and girls are at increased risk of being bullied. When a boy is overweight he is more likely to bully other children also. This is important to recognise because there are negative social outcomes for bullies too. They tend to grow up with difficulty forming adult relationships and also suffer from an increased risk of depression. Recognising the signs of bullying in a child is an important step in breaking the chain of negative outcomes. Some signs to be aware of include; increased stress, depression, unexplained bruising, recurrent abdominal pain and vomiting, frequent or repeated accidents, hyperventilation, submissive behaviour and school refusal. If you have concerns about bullying seek advice from the local school or a doctor/paediatrician. Many schools have anti-bullying campaigns in place. Studies prove that school-based interventions to reduce bullying are effective. However, the best way to approach this growing problem of bullying in overweight children remains an area of future research.

For more information on obesity, health and social issues, and methods of weight loss, as well as some useful tools, see Obesity and Weight Loss.

For more information on living with obesity,?including discussing obesity with friends and loved ones, obesity and its cost on the workplace and links between obesity and pain, sexuality, fertility and depression,?see Living with Obesity.
Collier, J. Longmore, M. Brinsem, M. [editors] (2006) Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties. [Viewed online; Books@Ovid, April 23, 2007] Oxford University Press: Oxford. Domino, F. [editor] (2007 ed) Body Dysmorphic Disorder [book chapter] in The five minute clinical consult. Lipincott Williams and Wilkins: Philadelphia. Spector, N. Kelly, S. (2006) Paediatrician's role in screening and treatment: bullying, prediabetes, oral health. Current Opinion in Paediatrics 18: 6; 661 - 670. Buttriss, J. (2006) Stark reality - statistics on childhood obesity. Nutrition Bulletin 31: 3; p175 - 177. NSW Department of Health. Childhood Obesity. [Cited 16th August 2006] [http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/obesity/adult/background/background.html] Olweus, D. (1994) Bullying at school: long term outcomes for the victims and an effective school based intervention program. In L.R. Huesman (ed) Aggressive behaviour; current perspectives. P 97 - 130. New York: Plenum. Rigby, K. Slee, P. (1991) Bullying among Australian School children: Reported behaviour and attitudes towards victims. Journal of Social Psychiatry 131: 5; 615 - 627. Janssen, I. Craig, W. Boyce, W. Pickett, W. (2004) Association between overweight and obesity with bully behaviours in school-aged children. Paediatrics 113: 5; p 1187 - 1194. Bell, L. Byrne, S. Thompson, A. Ratnam, N. Blair, E. Davis, E. (2007) Increasing body mass index z-score is continuously associated with overweight children, even in the healthy weight range. Journal of Clinical endocrinology and Metabolism 9: 2; 517 - 522. Vreeman, R. Carroll, A. (2007) A systematic review of School-Based interventions to prevent bullying [review article] Archives of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 161: 1; p78 - 88. Brown, S. Birch, D. Kancherla, V. (2005) Bullying perspectives: experiences, attitudes, and recommendations of 9- to 13-year-olds attending health education centers in the United States. Journal of School Health 75; p384-392. Venn, A. Thomson, R. Schmidt, M. Cleland, V. Curry, B. Gennat, H et al (2007) Overweight and obesity from childhood to adulthood: a follow-up of participants in the 1985 Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey. MJA 186; 9: p458 - 460. Griffiths, L. Wolke, D. Page, A. Horwood, J. ALSPAC study Team (2006) Obesity and bullying: different effects for boys and girls. Archives of Diseases in children 91; 2: p121 - 125. Franklin, J. Denyer, G. Steinbeck, K. et al (2006) Obesity and Risk of Low Self-esteem: a Statewide Survey of Australian Children. Paediatrics 118; 6: p 2481 - 2487.

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Dental Health for Babies and Young Children

It is very important that primary teeth are kept in place until they are lost naturally. Most children will have some of their primary teeth up until the age of 12.?

Primary teeth:

allow the child to maintain good nutrition and digestion by being able to chew properly;are important in speech development - if a child has missing teeth, especially the ones at the front of the mouth, the child may encounter difficulties talking when they get older, and this will resultantly require management;are needed for the permanent tooth to form;aid the permanent teeth by saving space for them and "guiding" them into their correct position; andcreate a healthy smile that can help children feel good about the way they look to others.

What?is early childhood caries?

The most common chronic disease of childhood is early childhood caries (aka nursing bottle decay, or baby bottle decay). Early childhood caries is the presence of one or more primary teeth with tooth decay, or missing or filled tooth surfaces due to tooth decay in a child aged less than 3 years of age. Early childhood decay is completely preventable if proper dental hygiene is maintained well.

The cause of early childhood caries and how they develop

Early childhood caries can develop as soon as the primary teeth erupt. Decay may be visible to the dentist as early as 10 months of age. Usually, the first stage of tooth decay looks like white spots or lines on the front teeth and if your child is not taken to the dentist immediately, these white areas will rapidly break down into yellow-brown spots and the disease will spread to the back teeth, which may eventually look like black holes. All white lines are not tooth decay, but it is a good idea to get the dentist to look at your child if you notice marks on their teeth.

The main bacteria that are involved in all tooth decay (including early childhood caries) is Streptococcus mutans. This bacteria uses sugars and carbohydrates that we eat as a part of a diet as nutrition for its survival. The waste products the bacteria produce is very acidic, and this dissolves a very small amount of the tooth, as well as allows bacteria to enter your tooth, and starts the process of tooth decay. Teeth, bacteria, and sugar, as well as time, control the severity of the disease; if left for a long time in a person who eats a lot of sugar and does not brush properly, decay will progress.

Figure 3: Note decay on molars on both left and right hand sides.?

What increases the chance of a baby getting early childhood caries?

If any of the following apply, they increase the chance of your child getting early childhood caries:

Teeth that erupt with white, brown, or rough enamel are at greater risk of decay. Defects are more likely in children who are born prematurely or have a low birth weight, and in children of low socioeconomic status. If the mum has high levels of the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, the risk of the child getting early childhood caries is more likely, as the mum is able to transfer this bacteria to the child e.g. kissing the child on the mouth, or sharing food and cutlery. Tooth decay at the end of the day is an infection and can be passed from mother to child. Parents who smoke may also increase the chance of having a high quantity of the bacteria Streptococcus mutans, and thus will be more likely to transfer the bacteria to their children.When we have sugar, it takes about 20 - 40 minutes to stop the negative effects of sugar on the tooth. If someone has a sugary snack every hour, the time for the tooth to recover from the negative effects will be almost non-existent, and the person will have a high chance of getting tooth decay in their mouth i.e. children should not be given sugary snacks throughout the day.

Severe early childhood caries

The consequences of not treating early childhood caries in an early stage are:

severe pain due to infection, pus formation, and eventual death;loss of sleep and inability to focus and learn for the child due to discomfort;inability to eat healthy foods, or foods that the child desires;difficulty talking as the child gets older;loss of space in the arch, and possible crowding that may require orthodontics;higher chance of getting decay in permanent teeth; and/orself-consciousness about smile and appearance, and long-term effects regarding social interactions and self-esteem.

Determining if your child is at risk

In pregnant women, periodontal disease has been linked to premature births, and that if a dental hygiene is maintained well, there is a lower chance of having a premature birth. ?Ideally, the oral health of the mother should be monitored after delivery because decreasing the level of Streptococcus mutans can reduce the chance of the baby coming into contact with tooth decay-causing bacteria.

In the first few months of life (0-4 months), the primary teeth are still are not through; however, it is good for the child to be introduced to a dental setting and the dentist can obtain valuable information that can may indicate what sort of risk your child is at of getting tooth decay.

These factors can increase the chance of your baby getting tooth decay:

young infants with special health care needs will be at high risk of developing early childhood caries; mothers with high caries rates have a higher chance of passing on decay to their children; families of low socioeconomic status have high caries risk;the child's diet; breastfeeding is the preferred source of infant nutrition. Fruit juice is discouraged because it can cause early childhood caries and has been linked with failure to thrive. Some formulas, especially soy-based formulas that contain sucrose, are also linked with tooth decay in children's teeth; andthe sources of systemic fluoride, which in Australia consists mostly of fluoridated tap water; one of the most effective tools in the prevention of dental decay and shown to reduce tooth decay in half for children. Fluoride is essentially good at strengthening teeth against the attack of tooth decay.

How to look after teeth in your baby

Neonate/infant (0-6 months)

It is important to clean your baby's gums every day before the teeth have even come through into the mouth according the following procedure:

Cradle your child with one arm: and Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around the index finger of the hand of the other arm and gently massage the teeth and gingival tissues; orIntroduce a soft-bristled toothbrush during this age only if you feel comfortable using the toothbrush, and do not use toothpaste.

Infant/toddler (6-18 months)

Once the baby teeth start to appear, it is recommended that parents brush the baby's mouth using a baby's toothbrush with a small head and soft, rounded bristles. Up to the age of 18 months the teeth should be brushed with plain water and preferably, teeth should be brushed or cleaned twice a day - morning and evening.

Too much fluoride intake can result in fluorosis; an unattractive mottling of the teeth. Therefore, fluoride intake should be optimal but not excessive. In Australia, if your child is under 18 months of age, toothpastes containing fluoride should not be used.

Toddler/early childhood (18 months- 6 years)

There are special low-fluoride toothpastes with about half the amount of fluoride that have been developed for children and these can be introduced from around the age of 18 months - 6 years. Only a smear of toothpaste (pea-size) should be used and ensure your child spits and does not swallow the toothpaste.

From around the age of 4-5 years children should begin to learn how to brush their own teeth, and these are some of the considerations whilst teaching children how to take care of their teeth:

Children do not have the manual skills to effectively clean their own teeth properly until around 8 years of age thus, parents should be involved with the brushing till the age of 8-10 years of age;Move the toothbrush gently in small circles to clean all surfaces of the teeth. Avoid side-to-side scrubbing, which can damage teeth and gums; Electric toothbrushes, which rotate and oscillate can be used, but one with a small brush head should be employed to ensure access to all areas of the mouth;In total, you should aim to brush for about two minutes - with patience your child will soon learn to tolerate it; andToothbrushes should also be replaced every 3 months (if used properly).

The Australian Dental Association also advocates that when a child is about two and a half years old, flossing can be done daily and at a minimum, at least twice a week.

Fluoride in the quantity we use it in is very safe; however the risk of giving a toddler fluoride toothpaste is fluorosis. In other countries, and in the past in Australia, parents have given their children supplements or fluoride tablets. These have been found to increase the risk of fluorosis and are no longer recommended in Australia.

If your toddler resists brushing or cannot sit still for two minutes, then try these suggestions:

Consider a battery-powered brush, which adds novelty to cleaning their teethSing nursery rhymes or play a favourite song while you help your child brush their teethOffer a reward (ensure that this reward is either non-food or low fat/sugar snacks such e.g. celery or carrot sticks) every time your toddler allows you to brush for two minutesMake flossing and brushing as much fun as you can to avoid any negative association or resistance. Talk to your dentist if you need advice.

It is also important to set a good example for your children. Children tend to imitate their parents' behaviours, and if oral hygiene and dental care are important to you, a child is more likely to take care of their teeth. Visit your dentist regularly to maintain your own oral health which will in turn benefit your child.

The Australian Dental Association and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend that the first check-up occur within 6 months of the first primary tooth coming through but by no later than 12 months of age.

Early dental checkups can provide an opportunity to give oral health education for parents in areas such as:

proper dental hygiene; prevention of dental injuries; and prevention of early childhood caries.

Such visits at an early age may also allow children to become comfortable in the dentist's office.

Once the baby or primary teeth start to appear, it is recommended that parents use a baby's toothbrush with a small head and soft, rounded bristles. Up to the age of 18 months the teeth should be brushed with plain water and preferably, teeth should be brushed twice a day - morning and evening.There are special low-fluoride toothpastes that have been developed for children and these can be introduced from around the age of 18 months.Store all toothpastes out of your child's reach. Some small children love the taste of toothpaste and will eat it if given the chance.Most children should be brushing their own teeth with parental supervision, from eight years of age. By age 10, children should be able to brush their own teeth without the need for ongoing supervision.When your child is about two and a half years old, flossing can be done daily and at a minimum, at least twice a week.Set a good example as a parent or guardian and look after your own teeth.

Kindly written by Dr Akhil Chandra BDSc. (Hons UWA)
Dentist, Whitfords Dental Centre and Editorial Advisory Board Member of the Virtual Dental Centre

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