How to Prevent Cavities in Your Children

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

Dental decay, for the most part, is a preventable disease. In fact, many children grow up cavity free - and it’s not due to luck or good genes! By learning about cavity prevention early on, parents are able to implement certain behaviors in their young children - starting them on the path to a lifetime of good oral health.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Bottles do not cause cavities, it’s the liquid inside that can promote tooth decay. Milk, juice, formula - just about everything your child drinks contains sugar. When sugar is left in the mouth, bacteria starts to break it down and turn it into acid which starts eating away at tooth enamel. Putting your child to bed with a bottle of juice or milk over night is the ideal way to start the above process. Work to limit your child’s time with a bottle, fill it with water, and as soon as possible - teach him or her how to drink from a cup.
• A child with past caries experience is at risk for future cavities. The best chance of avoiding any problems in the future is to not develop them as an infant or toddler. Limit the amount of candy and sugary snacks that can get stuck to teeth. Also, look at the ingredients on the packages of the groceries you are buying - many times sugar and high fructose corn syrup are at the top of the list.
• Using fluoridated water and the use of a fluoridated toothpaste increases the chance of stopping cavities from developing. In a recent paper in the Canadian Journal of Dental Hygiene, Robert Compton, DDS, the executive director of the DentaQuest Institute, reported: “The result of behavior modification and goal setting along with frequent application of fluoride varnish and home fluoride toothpaste was a reduction of 65% in new cavitation.”

It’s also important to be a good role model for your children. If you make brushing and flossing a daily part of your routine, you have a greater chance of having kids who brush and floss regularly.

If you have any questions in preventing early childhood caries - contact any of our three offices today!

 

Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dentistry has three Long Island locations. We specialize in caring for children’s teeth in a comfortable and caring environment. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment. Don't forget to LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter for updates and industry news!