Parenting is one of the most challenging tasks ever given. There’s a lot that comes with raising a happy and healthy child. One of the many things a parent must keep an eye on is good oral health for their children. Unfortunately, cavities in children are quite common. They can arise from the lack of proper cleaning or high amounts of sweets.
Does your little one have a cavity that’s bothering them? Have they had one in the past? Are you searching for tips on how to prevent child cavities and child tooth decay?
In the guide below, you’ll find many different cavity-prevention tips for children. Continue reading to get started!
Cut Back on Sugar
It’s no secret that sweets are the main culprit of cavities. When sugar rests on the teeth and settles into them, it can cause the tooth to begin to decay. Sugar will also help bacteria grow inside those little mouths, which we want to prevent.
Although it’d be ideal to cut all sugar out of everyone’s diet, it’s most likely not realistic. Sweets are yummy and that’s why we crave them. You don’t have to remove all sweets from your child’s diet, but do try to cut back when possible.
You can make a sweets schedule and only allow your little one to have sweets when it’s sweets day. You can also try to substitute sugary sweets with more healthy snacks.
Ensure Proper Brushing and Flossing
With proper brushing and flossing, you can prevent the growth of cavities in your child’s mouth. You should be flossing and brushing your child’s teeth at least twice a day (once at night and once before bed). If your child doesn’t enjoy flossing or brushing, then be sure to research a few different ways to make brushing and flossing more fun.
There are plenty of ways to get your child excited about flossing and brushing. You’ll also want to start doing so as soon as your child’s first tooth comes in. You can even use an infant toothbrush to brush their gums after eating before they get their first tooth.
Visit the Dentist on a Regular Basis
When you do see that first tooth come in, be sure to contact your local pediatric dentist as well. Schedule their first appointment to allow the dentist to take x-rays and give advice on proper toothcare. After you bring your little one to the dentist for their first appointment, they’ll then need to come back every six months for routine check-ups.
These appointments are only to ensure the teeth receive professional cleanings and to prevent any oral health complications as your child grows.
Limit the Bottles While Sleeping
Feeding your baby a bottle while their sleeping is common. Many babies need a bottle to help them fall asleep. As they get older and their teeth begin to grow in, you’ll want to start limiting the bottles at bedtime.
Instead, try to give them their bottle while still awake. Then, brush and floss their teeth before tucking them into bed. This will prevent bottle rot on their teeth, which happens when they sleep through the night with a bottle of milk in their mouth.
Avoid Sharing Food and Drinks
The bacteria that cause cavities can actually be passed from one person to the other. For this reason, it’s best to avoid sharing food and drinks with your child. If you have any bacteria in your own mouth, then you may be passing it to them and vice versa.
Instead of sharing from the same utensil or cup, be sure to bring separate cups and utensils. That way, you can pour drinks into a cup before you drink out of them and use a different utensil for the food.
Offer Water-Dense Fruit
Water-dense fruit will help keep your child’s mouth hydrated. The crispiness of the fruit will also help clear away any food particles stuck in between teeth. Apples are a great option as are pears.
They’re also easy to pack in school lunches. Be sure to tell your little one to eat the apple or pear last to clear out food leftover from their meal.
Offer Them Lots of Water
Drinking lots of water can help rinse out all of the bacteria and food particles inside your little one’s mouth. The more water they drink, the healthier their teeth will be. To make sure your child’s drinking plenty of water throughout the day, pack them a refillable water bottle with their lunch.
When it runs out of water, they can then refill it at the water fountain.
Ask About Tooth Sealants
Tooth sealants are placed on top of your child’s teeth to help prevent decay. This is a simple procedure that isn’t painful or even noticeable to the child. It’ll be done quickly and as part of your child’s routine dental visit.
For more information about dental sealants and how they prevent cavities, be sure to speak with the pediatric dentist.
Provide Healthy Snack Options
If your child is a snacker, then providing them with healthy snacks is a great idea. They’ll eat what’s in front of them and browse through the options given to them in the home or in their lunchbox. For this reason, be sure to pick out plenty of healthy snack options while at the grocery store.
Place these healthy snacks out in a basket on the counter and in their lunchbox to replace sweets. Cheese and nut butters are great choices.
Cavities in Children Can Be Prevented
Even when it seems impossible, you can prevent cavities in children. Use the helpful advice and information listed above to ensure your child’s mouth remains happy and healthy. Maintaining good oral health in your child might not be the easiest task, so when you’re in need of some extra help, don’t hesitate to contact your pediatric dentist.
Schedule your child’s first appointment today to get started.