Dental cavities are among the most chronic diseases in children, especially at age six to eleven. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which damages the teeth. Tooth decay is caused by food with carbohydrates left on one’s tooth for long periods of time. Such foods are bread, milk, soda, cake, candy, and many more. These foods remain to combine with acid, bacteria, and your saliva to form plaque, which clings to the teeth. The acid in the plaque eventually dissolves the enamel (white part of the tooth), creating holes – cavities.
Children are very fond of food that contains carbohydrates – sweet things like candy and cake, and that’s why they mostly have cavities. It’s okay to give your children candy, and every other sweet thing. However, you need to ensure those food particles don’t remain in the mouth.
How to prevent tooth cavities in children:
1) Brushing teeth
Ensure your kids brush their teeth after a meal. Brushing the teeth seems like an easy thing, but the question of when should kids start brushing their teeth is fundamental. Dental care should commence before a baby’s first tooth appears. It’s said that at birth, a baby has 20 primary teeth, some of which are fully developed in the jaw. They are just not yet visible and so dental health starts as early as this.
Before your baby starts teething, run a clean, damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria. Once the baby begins to teeth, brush the teeth with an infant toothbrush. You can use water and a bit of fluoride toothpaste. You need to minimize the toothpaste that’s swallowed. When your kid is age two, teach them to slip while brushing, and don’t give them water to gargle because they may end up swallowing the paste. Children between age three and eight should be supervised while brushing teeth.
2) Good feeding habits
A parent should make sure their kids don’t go to sleep with food remains still in their mouth. For young babies, ensure they don’t go to bed with a bottle of milk. Rather, parents should set specific times for drinking every day.
Ensure that your children get enough fluoride to help in toughening of the enamel. Fluoride supplements are a good source of fluoride, and so is tap water – most towns have their water fluoridated. The amount of fluoride consumed should, however, be controlled to avoid tooth discoloration.
Parents should limit or even avoid food and drinks like juice, candy (especially the sticky gummy candy) and other sugary stuff. If the kids need to take such food, have them brush their teeth. Parents can come up with a way of controlling the amount of candy their kids consume. For instance, candy can only be eaten on weekends, or when someone finishes their week’s chores. Find something that will work best for your kids. Candy shouldn’t be something they take every day.
3) Regular visits to the dentist
It’s advised that children should go to the dentist on their first birthday. The dentist will be able to administer tests on them and advice on the best ways to take care of your child’s teeth. Early visits will also help the kid to get used to going to the dentist. The dentist will find any problem, or even refer you to a specialized dentist in case of any serious issue. Parents can schedule regular appointments with specific dentistry that will serve the family well. For instance, Glosen Family Dentistry Located on Powers Ferry Rd in Marietta is best for your children and the whole family.
