Parents need more knowledge about children's oral hygiene. There are the results of a survey

The survey found that most parents know the basics of oral hygiene - 78% know that teeth should be brushed twice a day, and 75% are aware of the importance of a balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. However, when the questions become more specific, parents often don't know the correct answers. For example, 40% of parents do not know that the amount of toothpaste for a child under the age of 3 should be the size of a grain of rice, and 20% disagree with the statement.

Mistakes in oral care of children

The results also show that many parents give their children complete freedom in oral care too early. As many as 30% of parents allow children as young as 3-4 years old to brush their teeth on their own, while 33% stop supervising this activity with five- and six-year-olds. Meanwhile, dentists recommend that parents take an active role in brushing their children's teeth until the age of 8.

Gaps in awareness of dentists' recommendations

The Sensodyne survey also shows that many parents are unaware of basic dental recommendations. For example, only 41% of parents know that fluoride toothpaste should be applied to children twice a day, and one in three parents don't know that a child's first visit to the dentist should take place when the first tooth appears (around 6 months of age).

Need for reliable sources of information

The survey results show that only 64% of parents get their oral hygiene knowledge from dentists. Many rely on information from the internet or social media, which are not always reliable. Experts stress the importance of using reliable, expert sources to ensure the health of children.

Although parents are familiar with the basics of oral hygiene, more education is needed in this area.

Source: based on press matrix