Dr. Susan Saqr: Children’s teeth can be brushed 3 times during the fasting period in the month of Ramadan (German)

Some parents neglect taking care of their children’s teeth during the month of Ramadan due to the nature of the holy month of staying up late, exhausting, and being busy outside and inside the home. The result is that the child’s teeth become more susceptible to decay.

Pediatric dentistry specialist Dr. Suzan Saqr stressed the need to pay increased attention to brushing children’s teeth during the month of Ramadan, at least once after Iftar and another time after Suhoor, knowing that brushing should usually be 3 times on normal days, stressing the importance of having a parent with their children. From one year to 12 years of age during the brushing process.

Dr. Suzan explained - in statements to Al Jazeera Net - that tooth decay will occur as a result of food fermenting inside the mouth throughout the night, if children’s teeth are not brushed before bed.

She added that when adults or children eat a lot of sugars, sweets, and carbohydrates, this leads to the activity of two types of germs in the mouth, namely Lactobacillus and Streptococcus, which convert these sugars into acid that erodes the outer layer of the teeth and causes cavities.

Dr. Suzan Saqr advised using toothpaste that contains fluoride, according to age groups (Al Jazeera)

Due to the fermentation of food waste in saliva in the mouth, according to the doctor, it is important to brush the teeth after every meal, to reduce its percentage and not cause tooth decay and erosion.

Osteoporosis and caries

Dr. Suzan explained that during the fasting period, the child feels thirsty and hungry, and therefore at breakfast time he wants to drink more artificial juices or soft drinks, and eat sweets and candy, which negatively affects his health and the health of his teeth.

She pointed out that according to studies conducted on children aged 9-10 years who drink soft drinks frequently and over short periods of time, it has been shown that they are more susceptible to osteoporosis at this early age than others, knowing that this disease usually affects adults.

Tips to protect children's teeth in Ramadan

Due to the daily schedule changing significantly during the month of Ramadan, it is necessary to follow some tips to preserve and protect children’s teeth and avoid their exposure to decay, which are as follows, according to Dr. Suzan:

  • Make sure to start breakfast with dates and drink healthy juices or healthy soups and salads, and then eat rice, pasta, meat, chicken or fish.

  • Do not eat a lot of candy and sweets, and replace them with fruits and vegetables, but at the same time the child can eat biscuits or chocolate in small quantities if he wishes after breakfast, because chocolate contains magnesium, which is beneficial for the muscles and gives the child energy, whether for playing or studying, and then brushing the the teeth.

  • Drink plenty of water, because during fasting the child loses fluids, and it is necessary to compensate for this deficiency between iftar and suhoor.

  • Make sure to sleep early and not stay up late, so the child wakes up active, not stressed, and able to focus on his studies, in addition to the importance of the growth hormone that works during the sleep period.

  • Eat healthy foods at suhoor, such as milk, dates, eggs, and cheese, in addition to bananas because they contain potassium and their role in relieving thirst during the day, and then brush your teeth.

Tooth decay occurs as a result of food fermenting inside the mouth throughout the night, if children’s teeth are not brushed before bedtime (Deutsche Welle)

Brushing teeth

Dr. Suzan explained that children’s teeth can be brushed 3 times during the fasting period in the month of Ramadan, after breakfast and suhoor, in addition to the noon period, stressing the importance of brushing using dental floss before bed, so that food waste does not accumulate between the teeth and molars.

She pointed out the necessity of brushing the tongue when brushing children's teeth, to maintain oral hygiene.

She advised using toothpaste that contains fluoride according to age groups, as each age group has a certain amount of fluoride, in addition to making sure the toothbrush is appropriate for the child’s age.

Children under 8 years old use toothpaste containing 500 parts per million of fluoride. As for those who are older than 8 years, they should use adult toothpaste that contains a concentration of 1450 parts per million of fluoride. To be sure, check with your doctor.

Source: Al Jazeera