Tooth decay is the most common, chronic childhood disease. The good news? It’s preventable! By following the below tips, you’ll be well on your way to ensuring your kids have a lifetime of good dental health!
1. Start Prevention Early - Even though you may not see teeth erupting in your child’s mouth, early oral care should still begin. Wipe your child’s gums with gauze or a soft, damp cloth after each feeding. Getting your little one used to having their mouth cleaned can help when it’s time for the toothbrush to come into play!
2. Avoid Giving Baby Juice or Formula at Bed Time - It’s common to put your child to bed with a sippy cup or bottle, but do be careful of what liquid you put in there. Milk, formula, and juice all contain sugar. Giving your child any of these liquids overnight gives bacteria its chance to eat away at tooth enamel, contributing to tooth decay.
3. Teach Your Kids How to Floss - In addition to brushing teeth two minutes, twice a day, its also important to ensure flossing is in their oral health routine as well. Brushing doesn’t reach all the crevices in the mouth and that’s where floss comes in. Flossing is the most effective way to remove any food and plaque that gets trapped between the teeth.
4. Limit Sports Drinks and Sodas - Both are huge sources of sugar and if not cleaned off the teeth well, the bacteria in the mouth can feed on it producing acids. Over time, this acid wears away at the teeth and the process of decay begins. Stick with water whenever possible!
5. Talk to a Dentist About Sealants - Sealants are just a thin, plastic coating painted on teeth. When applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, sealants act as a barrier between the tooth and harmful bacteria. This helps protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6-14.
2. Avoid Giving Baby Juice or Formula at Bed Time - It’s common to put your child to bed with a sippy cup or bottle, but do be careful of what liquid you put in there. Milk, formula, and juice all contain sugar. Giving your child any of these liquids overnight gives bacteria its chance to eat away at tooth enamel, contributing to tooth decay.
3. Teach Your Kids How to Floss - In addition to brushing teeth two minutes, twice a day, its also important to ensure flossing is in their oral health routine as well. Brushing doesn’t reach all the crevices in the mouth and that’s where floss comes in. Flossing is the most effective way to remove any food and plaque that gets trapped between the teeth.
4. Limit Sports Drinks and Sodas - Both are huge sources of sugar and if not cleaned off the teeth well, the bacteria in the mouth can feed on it producing acids. Over time, this acid wears away at the teeth and the process of decay begins. Stick with water whenever possible!
5. Talk to a Dentist About Sealants - Sealants are just a thin, plastic coating painted on teeth. When applied to the chewing surfaces of molars, sealants act as a barrier between the tooth and harmful bacteria. This helps protect the teeth through the cavity-prone years of ages 6-14.
Finally, another tried and true method of cavity prevention is bringing your children in for their regularly schedule dental appointments. This way we have the opportunity to spot an irregularities and catch any problems fast. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an
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