Infant Oral Health Care Concerning Education of Mothers – Part 1

Abstract

Infant oral health is one of the most overlooked aspects when it comes to the oral well -being of a child because many do not consider it to be of much significance. This is generally due to the misconception that children do not have teeth during this phase which leads to the conclusion that focus could be on other developmental aspects. There is also a deficit in the education of parents and family members. Knowledge of mothers is of extreme importance because they need to be well aware that a child's first dental visit should be between 6 - 12 months of age to maximize the preventive potential of fluorides, health literacy and dietary modifications. Oral health, when integrated into primary medical care, can result in improved outcomes for children. A simple message of fluoride adequacy, dietary control of bottle use and sweet intake, oral hygiene, and regular dental visits cross professional barriers. This literature review aims to give mothers and family members access to information so that we can optimise the oral health of the infant. KEY WORDS Infant Oral Health, Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Mothers, Anticipatory Guidance, Early Childhood caries.