Did you know that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease in children? Keeping your kids‘ smiles cavity-free takes some effort, but don’t stress out! Here are 5 oral care tips from a pediatric dentist to help your children stay smiling and avoid tooth decay.
#1: Substitute Sweets for Healthy Snacks
Many snacks marketed towards children are loaded with sugar, which the bacteria in the mouth feast on and turn into harmful acids. These acids dissolve tooth enamel and cause cavities!
Try swapping out sugary snacks for healthier alternatives, such as fruits, peanut butter on celery, cheese sticks or yogurt. Foods such as these that contain protein, calcium and phosphorous, will help your kids develop strong teeth.
#2: Consider Sealants to Protect Teeth
Sealants are a protective clear barrier that can be placed on the top of a child’s back teeth to help prevent cavities. Without sealants, food and bacteria can often hide in the deep grooves of these teeth and eventually cause tooth decay. Sealants, which last for several years before needing to be replaced, are an easy and affordable measure to prevent tooth decay.
#3: Help Your Child Brush
Parents play a critical role in ensuring children do not develop cavities. This is especially true for children under the age of 8, who are usually too young to thoroughly brush their teeth on their own.
To help your child clean their teeth at home, follow these steps:
- Use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and a soft children’s toothbrush.
- Sit or stand behind your child, face the mirror, and tilt their head back against your body so you can easily see their teeth.
- Brush gently, moving the toothbrush in small circles to clean the inside and outside of the teeth and gums.
- After you are finished brushing all the surfaces of their teeth, encourage them to spit into the sink.
#4: Straighten Teeth
Does your child have a straight smile? Misaligned teeth are more than just a cosmetic concern – they can also negatively affect a person’s oral health – at any age. For instance, teeth that are not straight, especially if they are overcrowded, can be more difficult to properly clean. Tiny bits of food and harmful bacteria can flourish in the nooks and crannies in between misaligned teeth, increasing the risk of gum disease and cavities. If you believe your young son or daughter could benefit from braces, do not hesitate to get in touch with an orthodontist in Fitchburg.
#5: Visit a Dentist in Fitchburg Regularly
Lastly, be sure to bring your child to the dentist twice a year for a routine dental exam and cleaning. Regular checkups allow their dentist to detect any hidden oral health problems early on, before they can worsen and potentially cause serious damage. In addition, professional cleanings performed by a dentist or dental hygienist are the only way to remove hardened tartar from teeth before it can cause cavities.
Preventing your children from getting cavities should not be extremely difficult, but it does require vigilance! Follow the 5 tips above to help your kids avoid tooth decay and other oral health issues.
About the Author
Dr. Derek Leung is dedicated to helping young boys and girls in Fitchburg, Massachusetts maintain healthy smiles all the way to adulthood and beyond. As an active member of the Massachusetts Pediatric Dental Association, he enjoys sharing oral care tips with the children and parents he serves. For more information on pediatric oral care, visit the Simply Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry website or call Dr. Leung at 978-424-4255.