Information from official sources regarding the issue, which has a wide repercussion on Türkiye's agenda, has become clear. According to the statements made; Although summer vacation is a period of rest and entertainment for children, changes in daily life patterns can closely affect oral and dental health. Irregular meal times; Frequent snacking habits during the day and increased consumption of ice cream, candy, packaged products and sugary drinks pose a risk for tooth decay. Failure to brush teeth during this period also increases the formation of cavities. It is not only sugar that causes cavities. Tooth decay develops when bacteria in the mouth produce acid by using sugar and carbohydrate group foods. The acid formed causes mineral loss in tooth enamel. The amount of carbohydrate or sugary foods is important as well as how often they are consumed. Continuous snacking habit exposes the teeth to acid attacks repeatedly throughout the day. This does not allow the tooth enamel to repair itself and accelerates the formation of caries. Acidic drinks weaken tooth enamel. During the summer months, children may prefer carbonated drinks, fruit-flavored drinks, energy drinks and ready-made fruit juices more frequently. These products damage the tooth surface not only with their sugar content, but also with their high acidity levels. Acidic drinks and energy drinks, in addition to increasing the risk of caries, also cause loss of substance in the tooth enamel, called erosion. Teeth, whose enamel structure weakens over time, become more vulnerable to caries. Check your snack choice. The foods that children prefer for snacks are important for dental health. Sticky candies, caramels, biscuits and similar packaged products remain on the tooth surface for longer. On the other hand, raw vegetables and fruits such as apples, carrots and cucumbers, and nuts such as hazelnuts and peanuts increase salivation during chewing. Increased saliva contributes to the balance of acids in the oral environment. Foods rich in calcium, such as cheese, yoghurt and milk, can also support the maintenance of the mineral balance of the teeth. Chewing habits should not be ignored. During the summer holidays, children's tendency to prefer soft and ready-made foods may reduce chewing time. However, during chewing, both the jaw muscles work actively and saliva secretion increases. Consuming age-appropriate hardness vegetables and fruits supports the chewing function of children. Regular chewing habit is one of the important mechanisms that contribute to the natural cleaning of the oral environment. Dessert should not be completely banned, consumption pattern should be planned. Of course, children will want to eat sweets. The important thing at this point is to consume dessert in controlled amounts after the main meal, rather than consuming it in small portions and frequently throughout the day. Drinking water and brushing your teeth after consuming sugary food contributes to the maintenance of oral hygiene. Waiting for a while instead of brushing your teeth immediately after acidic foods and drinks may be a better approach in terms of protecting tooth enamel. Summer vacation can turn into an opportunity for dental check-ups. Dentist checks that are postponed due to the busy schedule during the school period can be planned during the summer vacation. Thanks to regular check-ups, initial caries can be detected at an early stage, preventive practices can be evaluated, and children can be reminded of correct oral care habits. Instead of adopting a completely prohibitive approach during the summer holiday, children should be taught correct eating habits, regular oral care should be maintained, and routine dentist checks should not be neglected; It will contribute to the healthy development of both milk teeth and permanent teeth. Detailed analysis and official statements of the issue are closely followed by our editorial team in line with the developments.
Information from official sources regarding the issue, which has a wide repercussion on Türkiye's agenda, has become clear. According to the statements made; Hurriyet.com.tr is the only address for breaking news from Türkiye and the world, columns, everything from magazines to politics, from sports to travel. News contents cannot be quoted without permission, even by citing the source. It cannot be copied or published elsewhere without permission or against the law. Legal investigations and investigations by the competent authorities on the subject continue to deepen. We will continue to report new developments as they occur.