The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that the simple act of washing your hands at critical times can reduce the number of diarrhoeal cases by up to 35 per cent. Personal hygiene is essential, and helping young children grasp its importance is key to building healthy habits.
Em D., a teacher based in Dubai, said: “I occasionally come across situations where I need to talk to parents about their child’s toilet training, washing or brushing teeth. Younger children would soil themselves or wet the bed at night and not wash before coming to school. I recall speaking to a mum about her child’s decayed teeth and she laughed about it, mentioning her teeth were the same but no one worried about it! Another important thing is reinforcing the washing of hands.”
Dr Shooja Manzoor, consultant paediatrician at Mediclinic Welcare Hospital in Dubai, shared five aspects that parents need to keep an eye on.
1. Rinse your mouth.
If bits of food are left on teeth after a meal, the germs in your mouth, called plaque, can turn those into acid. Over time, this acid eats away at the surface of the tooth, creating cavities. Rinse your child’s mouth with tap water after eating or drinking.
2. Wash your hands.
All day long, children are exposed to bacteria and viruses. They can quickly get infected by rubbing their eyes, touching their nose or placing fingers in the mouth. Handwashing can stop the spread of infection.
3. Take a shower regularly.
The best way to keep clean is to bathe or shower every day using mild soap and warm water. A shower is necessary after children have played outside, been in any body of water, when they get sweaty or as often as directed by a dermatologist, if getting treated for a skin disease.
4. Brush your teeth.
Brush your child’s teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day for about two minutes. Brushing stops plaque from building up. Make sure children don’t lick or eat toothpaste from the tube.
5. Wear clean clothes and socks.
Dirty clothes can harbour microorganisms and lead to skin infections. Unpleasant body odour can also arise. If your child sweats a lot, shirts, socks and underwear made from cotton or other natural materials will absorb sweat effectively. Feet have lots of sweat glands, so closed shoes can provide warm, moist and dark environments where bacteria and fungi can thrive and cause conditions such as athlete’s foot.
