General Dentist in Ghana, Dr. Michael Awua-Mensah has shared that it is critical for parents to take children on their first visit to the dentist immediately they are a year old.
He noted that it is not right for parents to wait till their children’s teeth start falling out before they take them to see the dentist.
“First of all, once you’re born, your first dental visit should at the age of one and that is according to the American Dental Association. As parents, you need not wait till your kids’ teeth begin falling out before you take them to the dentist,” he said on Y107.9FM’s Myd Morning Radio show.
According to him, the visit to the dentist “does not mean your child will undergo a procedure per se. But the dentist will just check the child’s mouth for tongue ties, if there are any issues with their gums or if their first teeth are coming out properly. It is not a procedure but at least by age one, a parent should sensitize their children for visits to the dentist which is really important.”
Dr. Awua-Mensah advising adults asked them to be wary of bleeding gums. “It is a sign of gum disease and when it comes to sensitive teeth and pain, there possibly could be some decay or wear in the teeth and needs immediate attention from the dentist.”
Giving dental advice to listeners, he warned them against using hard tooth brushes. “It is best for one to use soft or medium bristled tooth brushes which should be changed in a space of 3 months. But if you feel your brush is fraying before the third month, change it.”
To him, brushing your teeth twice daily is very important whiles one must also floss their teeth once daily. “Use a tooth paste that also contains fluoride and brush your tongue all the time to prevent bad breath,” he recommended.
