Some people may not associate tooth decay with kids, but it does happen. Tooth decay is relatively common for kids in Ontario. With a little help, it is possible to spare your little ones the worst of it.
Tooth decay can be prevented if you take the right steps. As soon as your kids develop their teeth, start brushing their teeth. It is vital to teach your children the importance of good oral health from an early age. Starting early helps your little ones develop the habit of brushing and flossing every day. There are other ways you can prevent tooth decay in your kids. Use these methods to save your little ones any pain and lost time from cavities.
Start early
Get started on good dental habits now to teach your kids the importance of good dental hygiene, even before their teeth come in. You can clean babies’ gums with a clean, damp facecloth or use a soft baby brush. This removes plaque buildup even before teeth emerge. Once the teeth do come in, brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush twice a day for two minutes.
Take charge of your child’s brushing until they reach ages five or six. Start flossing as soon as your child has two teeth touching each other. Brush and floss regularly at predetermined times. Children respond well to routine. Most children generally learn to follow the routine and carry it into adolescence.
Limit sugar intake
Avoiding too many sugary treats is generally a way to prevent tooth decay. Limit your child’s sugar intake, especially if you fill their bottle with milk or juice. After letting them eat sugary foods have them rinse their mouths or brush to wash away the sugar. The same goes for sweetened medicines, which also contain sugar. Try to limit drinking juice to meal times and dilute it with water. Do teach your kids to use their tongue to scrape food off the teeth after eating. Use this lesson to prevent plaque formation that could contribute to tooth decay.
Introduce open cups early
Encourage your kids to switch from bottles to sippy cups as early as six months. Ideally, they should be able to use sippy cups on their own from around 12 to 15 months. Kids are more likely to develop tooth decay if they keep using the bottle, a condition known as “bottle mouth.” This is especially true if you put your baby to sleep with the bottle. Avoid using bottles or sippy cups as pacifiers or drinking from them for long periods.
Provide toddlers with healthy foods
As soon as your kids can handle solid food, introduce them to healthy options (e.g. fruits and vegetables). Healthy foods offer more benefits than one may expect. Fruits and vegetables stimulate saliva production, and some are also high in water and can keep your child’s mouth hydrated. This can help neutralize acids that wear away at the enamel, thereby preventing cavities. Switch to dairy products as after-meal snacks. Yogurt and cheese can remove sugar from your child’s mouth and protect from plaque formation. The right diet can prevent cavities and avoid emergency trips to the dentist.
Drink plenty of water
Drinking plenty of water is a potent way of keeping cavities at bay. Water helps wash away food residue, flushes bacteria and prevents acid buildup. Encourage your kids to drink plenty of water. If your kids still occasionally need a bottle for comfort and sleeping, fill it with water.
Choose the right toothpaste
What products you use matter as much as teaching your kids early. Choose the right toothpaste to give your kids greater protection when they brush. Fluoride has several benefits on oral health to protect your little ones against tooth decay. Let them use fluoride toothpaste early (as soon as their first teeth come in). Fluoride toothpaste can help remineralize areas weakened by bacterial acids. For kids aged 3 or under, use a smear of toothpaste around the size of a grain of rice. Once they hit 4 to 6, move on to a pea-sized dollop. After brushing, avoid rinsing and have your child spit out the excess. This lets the fluoride stay on the teeth and provide additional protection.
Supervise younger kids
Even when your kids get old enough to brush by themselves, keep an eye on how they do it. Observe their habits closely to make sure they do a good job brushing. Supervise your kids when they are younger than 8 to avoid having them swallow toothpaste. Be hands-on with brushing at that age, but keep overseeing until the age of 11. Supervision during brushing ensures no food gets left behind that could start cavities. The kids may not be able to see as they brush. Another pair of eyes can spot anything they miss.
Set a good example
Let your kids see that you practice what you preach. Take care of your own oral health and let them see you do it. Your kids model their behaviour after yours. Brush and floss regularly yourself to reinforce how important oral health is. One neat thing you can try is brushing as a family, especially if you have kids at different ages. Make brushing a family event to let the kids know everyone brushes before going to bed. Take the time to check how your kids do and oversee them. Correct them as needed and give tips to help them brush and floss more effectively.
Make regular appointments a habit
Children can benefit from visiting the dentist from as early as their third birthday. However, signs of tooth decay can be found in children as early as 15 or 20 months. Early prevention is vital to avoid tooth decay. Regular visits will help your child build a relationship with the dentist and make them more comfortable for future visits. A family dentist can monitor tooth development and prevent early signs of tooth decay from turning into cavities. At these visits, dentists can also give you patient education and strategies for better dental habits and cavity prevention. In case your kids need specialized care, dentists can also point you at specialists (e.g. an orthodontist).
Dental hygiene matters for all ages, including kids. It is never too early to start learning how to care for your teeth. Start teaching your kids the importance of good oral hygiene early; you can give your little ones good habits for when they get older. A combination of healthy eating and regular brushing can go a long way toward preventing tooth decay in your kids.
Springdale Dental Centre provides complete oral health care for Brampton clients. We offer high-quality dental health care for the whole family. Whether you need dental implants or you are taking your little ones to their first dental appointment, our caring staff are ready to help. Give us a call at (905) 458-1212 or visit our contact page to arrange your appointment.
