Traditional Chinese Medicine Parenting: Question 18 - What should be done when a child's teeth are damaged?
Traditional Chinese Medicine Parenting: Question 18 - What should be done when a child's teeth are damaged?
Traditional Chinese Medicine Parenting: Question 18 - What should be done when a child's teeth are damaged?
Answer: To effectively address any issue, it's essential to understand its root cause and then take targeted measures to achieve a lasting solution. When a child's teeth have problems, dentists often offer the standard advice of "limit sugar intake and brush teeth regularly." While reducing sugar intake addresses one small potential cause, recommending frequent brushing misses the mark entirely. This advice is as misguided as telling a sick person to take more baths—it's irrelevant and ineffective.
Dental issues can stem from both internal and external factors. According to the Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon), "The kidneys govern the bones and produce marrow, and the teeth are the surplus of bones." This means that the health of the teeth is closely related to the kidneys. Generally, dental problems in children are a result of damage to kidney Qi. Therefore, any actions that harm a child's kidney Qi can manifest as dental issues.
In modern society, several lifestyle factors are particularly damaging to a child's kidney Qi:
Staying Up Late: This is one of the most harmful practices.
Cold Drinks: Consuming cold beverages frequently.
Vaccinations and Antibiotics: (For more on the issue of vaccinations, see Question 8).
These factors directly harm a child's kidney Yang, and once kidney Yang is damaged, issues such as dental problems, irregular bowel movements, and brittle, yellow hair naturally follow.
Regarding sugar consumption, it's a matter of moderation. A small amount of natural sugar can stimulate a child's appetite and nourish the spleen and stomach (as stated in the Huangdi Neijing: "Sweet flavors enter the spleen"). However, if a child consumes large quantities of sugar or sweet foods regularly, it can lead to an imbalance. Daoist philosophy states, "Anything in excess becomes harmful."
Overconsumption of sweets can lead to an overburdened spleen, which then negatively impacts the kidneys. This is the principle behind dental damage from excessive sweet consumption. Thus, sweet foods should be consumed in moderation, and they should contain natural sugars rather than artificial ones, which can cause even more problems.
As for brushing teeth, it is fundamentally a matter of cleanliness. Normal brushing habits and hygiene are sufficient. If a child has poor hygiene habits, such as not brushing after consuming highly acidic foods like soda, the acid itself can erode their teeth, which is an external factor. However, compared to internal causes, external factors play a much smaller role. Additionally, parents should be aware that many modern toothpastes are chemical products, which can be corrosive. Therefore, it's recommended to use tooth powder instead, with the main ingredient being Qingyan (alkaline salt), which not only strengthens kidney Qi but also cleans the teeth.
To summarize, if your child's teeth are problematic, the first step is to establish proper lifestyle and hygiene habits to protect their kidney Yang.
Second, eliminate cold drinks and soda entirely, and allow sweet foods only in moderation, ensuring they contain natural sugars.
Third, practice daily spinal pinching (focusing on the kidney area).
Fourth, if the child has irregular bowel movements, consider reducing or skipping dinner and applying a warm compress to the navel at bedtime.
Finally, by maintaining these habits and measures to strengthen kidney Qi, your child's kidney Qi will gradually be replenished, and you can expect healthy, white teeth after the next set of teeth come in.
spinal pinching
Moreover, parents should be cautious about the numerous soft advertisements for pediatric dentists, as this indicates that dental businesses are now targeting children. Parents need to be vigilant.