Tooth decay is a parent’s nightmare and a child’s endless pain. Tooth decay happens especially when kids eat many sweets and are not doing great with dental hygiene. Parents need to supervise their children when it comes to their dental hygiene.
There are different ways to prevent tooth decay in children. These are some preventive measures you can take to avoid the development of tooth decay for children.
- Clean the baby’s mouth with a damp washcloth over the gums to clear away harmful bacteria.
- When babies start growing teeth, brush them with an infant toothbrush. You can use water and fluoride toothpaste to clean their mouth and teeth.
- When the teeth have begun touching, introduce flossing to clean hard-to-reach areas.
- Teach your child to spit while brushing to avoid swallowing the toothpaste.
- Always supervise your child when it comes to brushing their teeth and overall dental hygiene.
What to Avoid
Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria that can be found in the plaque that covers the teeth. Plaque buildup happens when there is excessive sugar consumption in a person’s or a child’s diet. The sugar is often left on teeth and, if not properly brushed and cleaned, will, later on, cause teeth decay. For children who love to eat candies and sweet drinks, they tend to develop more plaque. So it is better to avoid sweet treats for kids, and if they do, they must clean their teeth immediately, and if brushing is not applicable, a mouthwash helps to spread the bacteria.
What to do
The solution to tooth decay is quite simple and effective if kids will follow them. As mentioned, cavities happen when food is left on the teeth, which causes bacteria to grow. The acid that is collected on a tooth softens the enamel until a hole begins to form, which is then called a cavity.
These are things that you should do:
Start an excellent oral habit
While kids are still young, train them to start good oral habits such as brushing their teeth and mouthwash to eliminate odor and spread of bacteria.
Get enough fluoride.
Fluoride is what our teeth need to be healthy and strong. While kids are still young, ask your dentist for fluoride supplements so that they will have stricter enamel and harder for acid to penetrate. Also, use dental products with fluoride, such as toothpaste with fluoride or mouthwash with added fluoride.
Limit consumption of some food.
Sweet treats like candies and sweet beverages are common causes of plaque and tooth decay. As much as possible, limit your kid’s consumption of this kind of food, especially if they are not religious in cleaning their teeth. If they eat sweet treats, let them wash their mouth with water or mouthwash if available.
Visit your dentist regularly.
Regularly visit your dentist for checkups. Regular teeth cleaning may be needed, especially if your kid already has permanent teeth starting to grow. The sooner your dentist assesses your kid’s teeth, the sooner you can avoid further damage to their permanent teeth.
Dental hygiene is always important, especially for kids. Training them at a younger age will help them develop a dental hygiene habit that can help them avoid tooth decay. As a parent, you need to be more responsible with your child’s dental hygiene and help them to develop a habit that they can keep until they become adults.