Top Tips for Preventing Dental Cavities in Children

Having a cavity in your tooth can give you sleepless nights and restless days. It is important to take care of your teeth from a young age to prevent cavities. As soon as a child develops the first teeth, the parent or caregiver should establish an oral health routine for them. They should help them to execute it until they reach an age when they can do it by themselves.
 

When you protect children’s oral health from a young age, they will have an easier time when they are older. Here are tips on how to prevent cavities from attacking your young ones.
 

Teach Your Kids About Oral Health

As soon as your kid grows the first tooth, start an oral health routine. Keep upgrading the routine with regards to their age. Letting your baby sleep with the bottle in his or her mouth can cause tooth decay. It discolors the child’s front teeth and causes cavities on the molars and pre-molars. When they start learning, teach the routine to them, and make it a part of their life.
 

Teach them the proper way to brush and floss their teeth and tongue. Use fluoride toothpaste to clean the enamel and remove bad bacteria from the mouth. Teach children the importance of brushing their teeth twice a day. Teach them to floss regularly and rinse with mouthwash.
 

Avoid Too Much Sugar

Avoid sugary and sweet foods in your children’s diet. Having too many sugary foods increases the levels of acidity in the mouth. Acidity in the mouth encourages the growth of plaque that harbors cavity-causing bacteria. Also, swap starchy foods for healthier options. If your child has to indulge in sugary meals once in a while, teach them to gargle water and rinse their mouth after eating.
 

Increase Fruit and Veggies in Your Diet

Fruit and veggies are very healthy. Instead of feeding your child with sugary or starchy snacks, feed them fruit and veggies. Natural fruit and fruit juices are a good compromise for sugar.
 

They are sweet but not as damaging as artificial sugars. Instead of feeding your child with candies and sweets, give them fruit purees, juices, and dried fruit. Keep off juices that have too much sugar. Soda and energy drinks have a high sugar content that is harmful to teeth.
 

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Feed your kids with healthy foods. Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals contribute to the growth of strong and healthy teeth. Lack of calcium and iron in the diet causes brittle teeth that get cavities easily.
 

Ensure that your child takes lots of green leafy veggies and a good share of protein. Keep off excess sugars and processed foods. Teach your children to always stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. If they don’t, they will get too thirsty and crave sugary drinks.
 

Keep Up With Your Dental Appointments

Most people dread visiting the dentist. However, it is important to keep up with your dental appointments. The dentist will help you with the information you need to take care of your child. He or she will also treat and correct any issues that may come up during the developmental stage of your child’s teeth.
 

To know more about dental cavities in children, visit Castro Valley Dentistry at our offices in Castro Valley, California. You can also call (510) 674-0900 to book an appointment today.