Know How to Prevent Cavities in Your Child

Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates like sugars and starches remain on the teeth. The mouth bacteria alter the foods making acids. Plaque buildup develops from the combination of bacteria, food, saliva and acids that remain on the teeth. Over time the acids from the bacteria erode tooth enamel to cause cavities. Tooth decay, besides affecting our dental health, also causes significant discomfort.

Brushing and flossing can help maintain healthy teeth and gums, but there are additional steps you must adopt to prevent cavities in your child’s mouth. This article provides some helpful tips you can follow to avoid tooth decay and cavities away from your child’s mouth.

Teach Children to Brush Twice a Day

The Queen Creek Dentist suggests you teach your child to brush their teeth two times per day for two minutes each with fluoride toothpaste. Brushing for two minutes in the morning and before bedtime is essential to remove plaque and harmful bacteria. You can make brushing a fun activity by singing songs or using other techniques to keep your child enthralled with brushing.

Flossing Is Not Merely for Adults

Children are more susceptible to cavities because they often neglect brushing correctly and fail to remove excessive plaque on and between their teeth. You must get your children to floss their teeth to overcome this problem because it is the only way to reach food particles trapped between the teeth. Children must receive education about flossing at least once a day regardless of when they do it. Flossing before brushing helps loosen food particles between the teeth, making it convenient for children to have a clean mouth.

Having Nutritious and Balanced Meals

Kids dentistry near Queen Creek recommends children have nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains because these foods are high in vitamins and minerals essential for good dental health. In addition, the foods children have or avoid effects teeth development. Therefore nutritious foods are an essential requirement for children and adults.

Request Dental Sealants

Children develop molars their back teeth by six and 12. Molars have pits and fissures, making it convenient for food particles and plaque to remain trapped and create cavities. Therefore you must request the pediatric dentist in Queen Creek to apply dental sealants on your child’s molars soon after they erupt. Dental sealants create a smoother surface on the molars, making them easier to clean because they seal the pits and fissures with a durable plastic coating that protects against 80 percent of cavities for two years and keeps the protection on going against 50 percent of holes for another four years. The sealants create a barrier over the teeth to protect them from acids and plaque and reduce the risk of cavities.

Products with Xylitol Help

If you want to cut down your child’s sugar intake, you can consider products with xylitol, a natural sweetener obtained from fibrous portions of plants to protect children’s teeth from decay. Xylitol can help maintain neutral pH levels in the mouth to prevent bacteria from sticking to the teeth. As a result, the bacteria cannot digest xylitol and are significantly reduced in the mouth to prevent cavities.

Do Not Overlook Regular Dental Cleanings

Regular visits to the children’s dentist can help detect potential problems early besides making your child comfortable with dental visits. The ADA recommends that children receive exams and cleanings every six months like adults to keep their mouths free from infections.

Tooth decay is entirely preventable by following the suggestions mentioned in this article. However, children can develop cavities despite the preventive measures and require additional help from dentists providing regular exams.

Exams and cleanings at the dentist’s office allow children to remain free from tooth decay and gum disease, which occurs when excessive plaque is left to accumulate on the teeth and below the gum line. The exam helps dentists detect issues in your child’s mouth, and the cleanings prevent significant problems from developing and provide your child with fresher breath.

The Queen Creek dentist focuses on educating you and your child about the benefits of preventive dental care to keep your child’s teeth healthy and helps prevent dental health problems like cavities, tooth decay, and other issues to ensure your child has a beautiful smile throughout their lives.

If preventing cavities in your child’s mouth is challenging, Alexander Family Dental can help you combat the problem. An appointment with this practice with your child will prevent unnecessary complications that need intensive treatments from dentists.