5 Ways to Protect Your Child From Cavities
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As a parent, it’s your job to make sure your kids are being as safe and healthy as they can be. You teach them how to cross the street the right way, wear a seat belt, and eat their vegetables. It’s also your job to instill in them healthy habits that they can carry into adulthood. Healthy habits can range from keeping their minds healthy and active to taking care of their bodies. Protecting your child from cavities is one of the earliest habits you can teach and there are several ways you can do it.
Start Brushing Early
The funny thing about brushing your teeth is that you don’t actually need teeth. Your child’s teeth formed during your second trimester. At birth, your baby had 20 primary teeth in their jaw, some of which were fully developed. So before the teeth even start to show, you can take preventative measures to avoid tooth decay. The simplest would be running a wet washcloth over their gums after meals to remove any harmful bacteria. You can also purchase an infant tooth brush, which has soft bristles and serves the same purpose as the washcloth.
Once your child actually has teeth, it is important to get them started early with a dental care regimine. They should be brushing twice a day, and you can help them floss as soon as they have two teeth that touch. Try to make this routine fun so they actually want to partake in it, and don’t feel like it’s a chore.
Beware of Bottle Mouth
Sometimes, it’s very easy to just pour some juice in a bottle and send your kid on their way. It makes them happy and keeps them quiet. But be aware that there could be some damaging effects depending on when you give them that bottle and what you put inside. For those who put their child to sleep with a bottle of juice or milk, the sugars from those drinks can stick to the teeth during the night and eat away at the enamel. This can cause what is known as Bottle Mouth, and consists of pitted and discolored front teeth. In severe cases, cavities can develop and the child could need all of their front teeth pulled.
Avoid Sugary Food
After your child graduates from the bottle and is ready for grown up food, make sure you teach them about healthy alternatives. Junk food is often high in sugar, fat and acids which can eat away at the enamel and cause cavities. High sugar drinks likes soda and juice cocktails can be especially damaging. Be sure you teach your children about moderation when it comes to these types of food and drink. Brushing or rinsing with water soon after consuming highly acidic things can help prevent some damage from occurring.
Introduce the Dentist Early
When your child is little, they are always in and out of the Pediatrician’s office for check ups, physicals and shots. Introduce Dentist visits into your rotation and make sure their dental hygiene is also taken care of. It can get expensive adding another visit into the mix, but you can contact places like Kool Smiles and get all of the financial assistance you need. It doesn’t have to be a choice between dental health and physical health. Regular dental check ups can also catch and prevent issues from turning into expensive problems later on down the road.
Decide on Fluoride
Developing teeth need all the help they can get. Fluoride is a mineral that can strengthen enamel, and make teeth more resistant to the acid and bacteria that cause cavities. Most toothpaste has fluoride in it, as do many water supplies. If you’re not sure if your water supply has fluoride in it, you can contact your local water authority to find out, or buy a kit to test the water yourself.
If you feel like your child’s teeth are especially weak or susceptible to cavities, consult your dentist about introducing fluoride supplements into your child’s diet. Make sure that you’re giving the proper dosage though, because too much fluoride can result in Fluorosis. Fluorosis causes white spots to appear on your child’s permanent teeth. This is why you’re always instructed not to use too much toothpaste, or introduce toothpaste too early on in a child’s life. they’re more likely to swallow harmful amounts.
The responsibilities of parenthood can sometimes seem overwhelming. Instead of being perpetually scared for your children, teach them good habits that they can carry on through life. A healthy child is a happy child.
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I wish I had been taught to take better care of my teeth much earlier. Flossing and thorough brushing etc.
At least my introduction to a dentist was a good one. The man was extraordinary with children.
Even with the care I take now, I just had to have four minor cavities repaired. Not too bad after four years without seeing any dentist at all.
Just as a note upon health care costs, it was about $240 USD for everything. Cavities, cleaning, etc.