ORAL HEALTH MONTH
7
APRIL 2026 • SUPPLEMENT TO THE FREE PRESS
“We don’t want any sugars, even if they’re natural sugars, sit- ting on the teeth overnight,” Dr. Iwaszkiw said. “That’s one of the biggest ways cavities can develop in young children.” Fruit juices, especially the box drinks popular with school lunches, provide little nutritional benefit. Most children don’t brush after drinking them, so those sugars remain on the teeth for longer. Choose water or milk instead. “Juice is like a treat,” Dr. Iwaszkiw said. “Try to limit it to spe- cial events. We don’t want to be having that every day.” Some minimize the importance of baby teeth, but that’s a mistake. Dr. Iwaszkiw said properly caring for them sets good lifelong habits. Failure to properly care for baby teeth can lead to abscesses and infections. “If we lose baby teeth early, it can create other problems down the road,” she cautioned. “It can lead to more crowding and set the foundation for bad bacteria in the mouth. As the adult teeth start to erupt, they may be more prone to developing decay.”
To book a free first dental visit for your child, visit manitobadentist.ca, click on “Public/Patients,” then click on “Find a Professional” for a partial list of participating dentists. You can also check with your preferred practi- tioner to see if they are involved.
DR. DARRYLL IWASZKIW Supplied photo
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