The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Further research by The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial says that about 42% of children from the age bracket 2 to 11 had cavities in their baby teeth while 21% of children ages from 6 to 11 years old have decay in their permanent teeth. Fortunately, cavities in children are not something that cannot be prevented. With proper care and dental hygiene, you can prevent your child from becoming one of those statistics.
Prevent Early Childhood Cavities
How to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Make it a habit to gently clean your baby’s gums after every feeding with a moist washcloth or gauze pad.
- Gently clean baby teeth with water and a soft baby brush as soon as they appear. Children are not yet coordinated enough to do this task for themselves, so you’ll need to assist them until they are about eight to 10 years old.
- Make sure to floss your child’s teeth at least once a day. As your child gets older, child will learn how to floss by themself. However, you may still need to make sure that he is doing it correctly.
- You should start taking your child to a children’s dentist even before he turns 1 year old. This will allow him to adjust and get used to the dental office while also giving the dentist a chance to monitor the growth and development of your baby’s teeth.
- Limit the contents of your child’s baby bottle with just water or formula milk and avoid sugary drinks.
- Substitute unhealthy snacks with healthy foods rich in calcium, protein, and phosphorous to help him develop stronger teeth.
- Fluoride can help strengthen the tooth enamel, so using dental products with this mineral will be good for your child. However, do make sure to check with your dentist first before giving your child any type of fluoride.
- Ask your dentist about dental sealants, a protective cover that can be placed over the teeth to protect them from decay.
The Bottom Line
The earlier you start bringing your child to the dental office, the better. Aside from giving your dentist a chance to monitor your child’s teeth, it also allows your child to get used to the dental office. This means less drama for you every time you bring your kid to the dental office as he gets older.
The fun atmosphere of our Pediatric Dental Specialists clinic in Chandler will surely put any child at ease. One of our friendly children’s dentist will make sure that your child is comfortable and having fun while taking care of his teeth.