A new study from Edith Cowan University (ECU) has found that caregivers’ lack of knowledge about children’s oral health and barriers to accessing dental services are the main factors leading to the high incidence of tooth decay in Australian preschoolers. Currently, almost half of Australian preschoolers suffer from tooth decay.
Dr. Ruth Wallace, senior lecturer at ECU and leader of the study, pointed out that if not intervened in time, tooth decay and caries problems can seriously affect children’s quality of life, causing severe pain, tooth loss, and even sepsis, further hindering children’s feeding ability and language development.
Dr. Elizabeth Wenden, co-author of the study, stressed that there is a common misconception in society that deciduous teeth are not as important as permanent teeth.
But in fact, deciduous teeth are essential for children’s chewing and pronunciation functions, and some deciduous teeth are even retained until the age of 10 to 12.
Once tooth decay occurs in deciduous teeth, it may spread to the permanent teeth that are about to grow, which will affect the oral and overall health of adults.
While rural and remote areas of Western Australia have always had difficulties accessing dental services, research shows that inconsistent information is one of the biggest barriers to oral health management. The study was published in the journal Children: Care, Health and Development.
The survey results showed that most participants understood that sugary drinks and diet sodas can be harmful to teeth, but less than half of them realized that bagged dried fruit or fruit yogurts can also cause tooth decay.
In addition, many parents have a confused understanding of daily oral care. Only 26% of respondents said they brushed their children’s teeth twice a day, which is far below the recommended standard. What’s more, 70% of parents have never used dental floss for their children.
Dr Wallace pointed out: “Many caregivers simply don’t realize that as soon as a child has two adjacent teeth, they should start flossing, which is an important starting point for establishing good oral habits.”
Dr Wenden added that the earlier children start to cultivate good brushing and flossing habits, the greater the benefits in the future.
Dr Wallace also emphasized that parents and caregivers must master the correct child oral care methods and actively use the relevant government oral health subsidies and incentives for young children.
“We know that social factors such as poverty, education and English proficiency influence how parents and caregivers manage their children’s oral health. Addressing these underlying issues is the only way to truly promote positive oral health behaviors,” she concluded.