Barcelona, November 18, 2024: In observance of World Children's Day, Dentaid emphasizes the importance of focusing on oral care from early childhood. Through various experts in pediatric oral health, Dentaid aims to raise awareness about the impact of proper hygiene in children, not only in preventing oral problems but also in positively influencing overall health throughout life.
Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in childhood, affecting 514 million children worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Spain, one in three children under the age of six has cavities in their primary teeth, while three out of ten children over 12 years old also experience this condition.
In this context, Dr. Paloma Planells, pediatric dentist and professor at the Faculty of Dentistry at Complutense University of Madrid, stresses that “although often underestimated, childhood caries can have negative effects on children’s physical, social, and emotional development. Children with severe caries experience pain, recurrent infections, and difficulties with eating or sleeping, which directly impacts their academic performance and quality of life.”
The connection between oral health and systemic diseases is increasingly evident. Poor oral hygiene in childhood and a lack of regular visits to the pediatric dentist can have long-term consequences, increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
“It’s essential to start oral care as soon as the first tooth appears, using an appropriate toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste,” advises Dr. Eva María Martínez, pediatric dentist and director of the Master’s Program in Pediatric Dentistry and Interceptive and Functional Orthodontics at CEU San Pablo University in Madrid. Research conducted at the Dentaid Research Center has demonstrated the effectiveness of fluoride in preventing caries from the earliest stages of life, reinforcing the importance of its early use in children’s oral hygiene routines.
“Parents must supervise brushing and control the amount of toothpaste while teaching children the importance of interdental hygiene. As children grow, they should begin using dental floss, and from the age of six, mouth rinses can be introduced,” adds Dr. Martínez.
The experts also agree on a rising number of cases of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) seen in clinics. This condition affects the enamel of one or more of the first permanent molars and incisors, with causes possibly linked to breastfeeding or hormonal changes, among others. Moreover, high sugar consumption, present in many processed foods and beverages, is closely related to bacterial growth that causes caries. “The general population isn’t truly aware of the consequences of poor dental hygiene or the problems it can cause, so professionals must empower patients to make oral hygiene a routine part of their self-care,” they emphasize.
Dr. Planells reminds parents that visits to the pediatric dentist should begin in early childhood: “All international and national pediatric dentistry associations agree that children should see a specialist by around six months of age.” Dr. Martínez concludes, “If we instill in our children the habit of taking care of their teeth and attending regular check-ups from a young age, we can create habits that will help prevent diseases and complications, improving their quality of life in every aspect.”
Dr. Karen Romero, Medical Science Liaison at Dentaid in Latin America, offers the following recommendations:
- Brush teeth after every meal and at least twice a day.
- Use fluoride toothpaste with more than 1000 PPM from the eruption of the first tooth (approximately six months of age) and mouth rinses as indicated by the pediatric dentist.
- Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between teeth when spaces exist. Delay the introduction of added sugars until the age of 2 and subsequently reduce or avoid sugar consumption.
- Maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid fermentable carbohydrates (such as sugary milk) at bedtime. Schedule regular visits to the pediatric dentist.

1. Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS). Global Oral Health Status Report: Towards universal health coverage for oral
   health by 2030. 2022
   2. https://sespo.es/wp-content/uploads/Encuesta-de-Salud-Oral-en-Espa%C3%B1a-2020.pdf
   3. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6560319/