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The Complete Guide to Cavity Prevention for Children and How to Make Sure that Their Teeth Stay Healthy

Kids need to start healthy habits when they are young so they can stay consistent with them throughout their life. We are breaking down everything you need to know to keep your kid's teeth clean. Follow along as we cover potential oral health issues for kids, what causes them, and how to prevent them.

What are Dental Cavities?

Dental cavities are one of the most common diseases in children. It is caused by tooth decay and tooth infection. In other words, it is the result of a bacterial infection that damages the hard tissues of teeth. Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria in your mouth that are left unchecked. Cavities left untreated can be a painful experience. The bacteria produce acid that attacks your teeth and causes cavities. Kids need to stay up on their visits with their dentist so they can check to see if their kids are at risk for cavities or have them.

hat Causes Dental Cavities in Children?

Tooth decay is made up of three stages: plaque, gum disease, and cavities. Plaque is a sticky film of food particles that builds up on teeth and can turn into tartar if not removed. Gum disease occurs when plaque gets under the gums and causes irritation, infection, and swelling. Cavities are holes in the tooth created by bacteria eating away at them from the inside out. The two main causes of cavities in children are lack of fluoride intake and sweets consumption. The lack of fluoride intake leads to tooth enamel becoming weak, making it easier for cavities to form because it's easier for bacteria to penetrate into the tooth through these areas. Sweets consumption also leads to cavities because sugar gets stuck. The infection can be caused by not brushing or flossing or eating too many sugary foods. The most common age group to get cavities is children because they tend to have more sugar in their diet than adults do and they don't brush as well as adults do.

How can I Prevent Dental Cavities for my Child?

Cavities can be prevented by following simple steps like limiting snacking, brushing teeth twice a day, and visiting the dentist regularly. We recommend starting habits at home to help with preventing cavities. Start with setting a routine for when your kids brush and floss their teeth. In the morning, it could be right when they wake up or after they eat breakfast. In the evening, it could be right before they get tucked in. Creating a routine will help the kids stay consistent in the habit. In addition to that, monitor how many sweets your kids are intaking. We are by no means saying that your kids should stay off all sweets, but make sure there is a balance. Lastly, set a reminder every six months to take them to the dentist. You can have the best brushing and flossing habits and limit yourself to sweets and still be at risk for cavities!

Conclusion

Keeping kids in check with their oral health may only sometimes be on your mind, but it should be a priority. Create a habit for your kids to help with keeping their teeth healthy. Start with scheduling an appointment with us for your child's next dentist visit. We look forward to seeing your smile soon!