A common question parents ask a children’s dentistry specialist is: How can I prevent cavities in my child’s teeth? In this article, we give actionable tips on how you can help your child maintain good oral health.
How Can I Prevent Cavities in My Child’s Teeth?
Two main components for your child’s oral health are hygiene and diet. Let us look at the rules we recommend to help ensure your kid’s teeth are cavity-free.
Visit Your Pediatric Dentist Regularly
Do not skip bi-early dental visits with your child. The procedures done during such visits should include a check-up, a professional cleaning, and a fluoride treatment. This schedule ensures that your child’s teeth stay free of plaque and tartar (the leading causes of cavities and gum disease) and also builds good oral health care habits for life.
Encourage Effective Oral Care Habits
When your child is old enough to learn how to brush and floss their teeth, we recommend encouraging this habit with games and positive reinforcement. You can come up with stories and games involving your kids’ favorite toys to make oral hygiene fun. Additionally, you can explore children’s picture books about oral hygiene and dental visits to help your child become interested in the process.
Try to avoid scolding your child for not brushing their teeth or threatening them with dental visits, as it will create negative associations and prevent habit formation.
Teach Your Child Correct Brushing and Flossing Techniques
Ensure that your child knows how to hold their toothbrush properly and can reach and clean every tooth in their mouth and along the gumline. Also, teach them to floss without harming their gums. If traditional flossing is challenging, try floss threaders.
Choose the Right Products
We recommend choosing a fluoride toothpaste for your child, as fluoride remineralizes enamel, making teeth more resistant to bacteria. Make sure that your child does not swallow the toothpaste.
Limit Sugary and Acidic Foods and Drinks
Sugar and acid are among the main enemies of good oral health for both children and adults. Sugar feeds bacteria in the mouth, prompting their proliferation, while acid weakens the enamel of your child’s teeth. As a result, teeth become more vulnerable to decay, and gums become more susceptible to periodontitis.
Make Sure Your Child Receives Enough Vitamins, Minerals, and Water
Water washes away food and bacteria, so make sure your child drinks enough throughout the day. Additionally, make sure their diet is rich in:
- Apples, carrots, and celery help clean the teeth naturally
Pears that are lower in sugar than apples and contain phosphorus to support enamel - Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt, which are rich in calcium and phosphates, are essential for healthy enamel
- Fatty fish that provides Vitamin D and fluoride
Nuts and seeds (almonds, sesame, etc.) that provide calcium, phosphorus, fiber, and healthy fats for teeth and gum health - Fermented Foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, etc) that are rich in probiotics for good oral bacteria support
Avoid Sharing Utensils with Your Child
Sharing utensils and cups with your child can pass cavity-causing bacteria from your mouth to your child’s mouth. It is best to have a separate set of utensils and cups for your kid.
Make an Appointment with a Family Dentist at Baseline Dental
If you need pediatric dental care for your child, do not hesitate to call Baseline Dental today to schedule an appointment with an experienced, friendly dentist. In our office, we strive to provide high-quality services to every client and to create a stress-free, family-friendly environment.
