So you might be asking me how Grandparents and tooth cavities related? Actually this is an actual story happened to my patient’s child in my office. I remembered when the dad brings his 4 years old son to my office for evaluation. I immediately see almost all of the child’s teeth were blackened. I asked how this happen. The dad told me that their parents or (the child’s grandparents) have spoiled the kid and let them eat all these candies. Also, grandparents did not monitor the brushing habit of their kids.
This family is new immigrant from China. The mother and father works in Phoenix and occasionally they would fly back to China for vacation. Last summer, when they go back to China for summer, they let their youngest child (who has not begun schooling) to stay with the grandparents for 6 months. When the mother sees her child after six months, to her surprise, her child’s teeth have developed multiple cavities.
A lot of times, the older generations in China do not have adequate dental care at their old times and also they don’t understand proper dental hygiene instructions. And also, the grandparents probably spoil the grandchild that probably allows them to eat the candies and not brush properly at night.
The importance of this story is that the parents should teach the child proper dental hygiene at an early age, and also have a routine schedule of taking them to dentists for checkup and cleaning, at least once every six months. Also, when the child is away to stay with grandparents, proper instructions should be given and also routinely check up on them on nutritional habits, hygiene, and health. Even the child is staying with relatives, it is pertinent to stay informed on your child.
Written by Daniel Tee, DDS, MS
If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, Please call 480-820-6131
Practicing General Dentist in Tempe Arizona