We see parents every day who are shocked to learn their child has a cavity. After all, their child brushes and flosses every day. Some kids who brush and floss regularly still get cavities, though. These kids are not alone. Dental caries is the most common infectious diseases affecting humans. Unfortunately, brushing and flossing alone won’t always prevent cavities.
Why not? Cavity prevention starts with understanding what causes tooth decay in the first place.
What causes cavities?
Many factors lead to tooth decay. Bacteria plays a large role. All of us have bacteria in our mouths. Colonies of bacteria, when left unchecked, begin to form plaque, a white sticky film comprised of millions of bacteria. When brushing is neglected or not done correctly, plaque begins to coat the teeth more and more. When these bacteria are left unchecked for too long, they produce acids that erode tooth enamel. Tooth enamel is the hard, outer layer of a tooth. When these acids penetrate this outer layer, that’s the start of a cavity, which is actually a small hole in the tooth.
Once a tiny hole is made in the tooth’s enamel, the bacteria can reach deeper into the tooth.
The deeper into the tooth it goes, the easier it gets for the acids to erode more of the tooth’s structure. Once the second layer of the tooth, called the dentin, is affected, pathways to the tooth’s nerve are exposed. That’s how tooth decay can result in a toothache.
The good news is that you can follow these 10 tips to prevent cavities in your child.
Luckily for you and your child, there are easy habits you can develop to decrease the chances they will develop a cavity.
1. Have them drink water throughout the day.
Water washes away food particles. It also helps keep the mouth moist and pH balanced. Avoid sugary drinks like soda and sports drinks. Juices are to be avoided, too! Juices contain a lot of sugar, and some juices, like orange juice, are also very acidic. A combination of sugar and acid feeds the bad bacteria in your child’s mouth.
2. Choose non-starchy, non-sticky snacks.
Sugar gets all the bad press for causing cavities, but starchy snacks deserve equal blame. Little crackers (we’re talking about you, little fish!) and pretzels are examples of starchy snacks that should be noted. Starchy foods remain sticky and gummy on teeth for hours. This gummy paste feeds the bacteria. The same is true for any sticky snack like fruit-shaped gummy snacks and raisins. Foods that stick to teeth stick around long afterward to feed bacteria. Avoid them, especially when you’re child won’t be able to brush for a while.
Choose “melty” snacks instead. For instance, yogurt will dissolve and melt easily with water and saliva. Likewise, cheese, nuts, apple slices, and other protein-rich snacks are less likely to cling to teeth and feed bacteria.
3. Don’t let them graze! Restrict meal and snack times.
Each time your child eats a snack, they are giving the bacteria a chance to eat, too. Limit the number times a day your child eats. If they must have a snack between meals, be sure to pick wisely. Drink plenty of water after snacks, too.
4. Brush children’s teeth as soon as they get their first tooth.
It is good to introduce brushing at the appearance of the first tooth. For babies and infants, a washcloth or teething toothbrush can be used as this method will be more readily accepted by the child. At this age, it is not necessary to use fluoride, and toothpaste specially made for babies and young children without fluoride is best as they will like the taste and want to swallow the paste or suck on the brush. For children 3 to 6 years and those able to spit out toothpaste, a pea-sized dollop of fluoride-containing toothpaste is appropriate.
5. Use caution when sharing eating utensils with your child.
The bacteria in your mouth is different than the bacteria in your child’s mouth. Dental caries is an infectious disease. In other words, you can pass cavity-producing bacteria from your mouth to your child’s if you take a bite from their spoon. The same is true of pacifiers. If you put a pacifier in your mouth to clean it after a drop, you leave some of your oral bacteria behind on it. As a result, if you have a history of cavities, use caution in these situations. Make sure you brush and floss yourself regularly and well to reduce the chances of these sharing moments passing on more than your love!
6. Teach kids the correct way to use a floss stick.
A floss stick can be easier for little hands to work than string floss. To use it properly, kids need to wiggle the string of the floss stick between two teeth. It is best to gently drag the floss against the surfaces of the teeth. It is important they are supervised at first and use the floss gently so they do not irritate the gums.
7. Introduce them to an electric toothbrush around age 3 or 4.
Electric toothbrushes help kids do a much better job of scrubbing away food and plaque. Take the Oral-B for instance. It spins at a rate of 7600 to 8800 rotations per minute! No kid’s brushing could ever compete! Plus, kids find them fun to use, so they’re more likely to brush regularly.
8. Help them brush until they can write their own name neatly.
Brushing your teeth takes more coordination than you may realize. You have to hold the brush at the right angle and apply the right amount of pressure. Then you have to move it to all teeth, all sides, and keep going for two minutes! Most kids lack the coordination to do this well by themselves until they are 7-8 years old. A good test is seeing how well your child can control a pencil to write their name neatly.
9. Ask your dentist about sealants.
Molars, in particular, can have deep grooves that are hard to reach and brush well. Your dentist can place sealants on your child’s teeth to give them an extra protective layer against cavities until their enamel fully develop.
10. Take them to the dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and check up.
Okay, you knew we had to include this tip! Regular professional cleanings can remove tartar. In addition, your dentist can apply fluoride treatments to help strengthen your child’s teeth as they grow. The stronger your child’s teeth are, the more difficult it is for bacteria to penetrate the enamel. Finally, your dentist can catch the decay in the early stages. Early intervention keeps the pain away and avoids more expensive dental repairs down the line.
Call our office at (330) 688-4942, and Michelle, Denise, or Jeanie will be happy to find you an appointment time that’s convenient for your schedule.
With early morning and evening appointments available, we make scheduling a convenient time easy. We’re easy to find on Route 91 border of Stow, Ohio, just down the road from Adell Durbin Park. This location makes us an easy drive from Tallmadge, Ohio, too!
Munroe Falls Family Dentistry