In recent years, cavities (also known as dental caries) among children have become a concern for public health officials. In fact, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research claims that 42 percent of children ages 2 to 11 in the U.S. have at least one cavity. Among them, 23 percent have untreated dental caries. This poses a problem since the decay can easily affect the formation of permanent teeth later on. This may even lead to them needing gum surgery which you can learn more about here: https://www.gumsurgery.com/lanap-vs-tranditional-gum-surgery/. While this is an extreme consequence of what poor dental can lead to, it is still something that is preventable with the correct care.
Fortunately, there are many steps parents can take to help their children avoid cavities and grow up with strong, healthy teeth. Aside from visiting a pediatric dentistry office in Charleston or one local to you, similar to Oak Street Dental, you may want to try the following tips:
Brush Your Teeth Together
Young children look up to their parents, so use this to your advantage. Try brushing your teeth together with your child so you can show him how to brush teeth properly. If your child is very young, you may want to brush his teeth halfway and let him finish brushing his teeth. When brushing teeth, be sure to use only a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste for your child.
Limit Snack Breaks
As children grow older, you may begin to notice their appetite increase, leading to more frequent snacking. This presents more opportunities for cavities to develop as the chances of food debris getting caught in between teeth increases. Try to limit snack breaks to once a day to minimize the risk of cavities. Similarly, teach your child to rinse their mouth with water after a snack. Additionally, try to encourage them to make dr gundry breakfast foods to keep healthy too. Healthy meals can prevent tooth decay, so it might be worth getting your kids to eat healthily.
Serve Water Over Juice
It is no secret that consuming sugary drinks like juice or sodas can significantly increase the chances of cavities in children. This is especially true among children who drink these beverages throughout the course of the day, or fall asleep with a sippy cup or bottle in their mouths. Try to serve them water more often than juices. Not only does this help prevent cavities, but it also reduces the chances of a sugar rush and the crash that follows after.
Consider Asking for Dental Sealants
If your dentist offers pediatric dentistry services, you may want to consider requesting for dental sealants for your child. Dental sealants are a thin protective coating applied to the surface of your child’s teeth. This coating acts as a shield, preventing food particles from coming into contact with the teeth. This deprives bacteria of the sugar it needs to produce the acids that cause cavities. Dental sealants are durable and can last for several years before there is a need to reapply the coating.
SOURCES:
Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Children (Age 2 to 11), NIDCR.NIH.gov
Keeping Your Child’s Teeth Healthy, KidsHealth.org