About 50% of children aged 12 to 15 have at least one cavity, and the number of kids who have cavities is constantly growing. Most children are prone to develop tooth decay, tooth loss, thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, and lip sucking.
Keep on reading to discover the 6 simple tips on how to prevent these problems and protect your child’s teeth.
1. Have regular dental checkups
You should start taking your children to the dentist once their first teeth erupt. It typically happens when your children are 6 months old. A dental specialist will examine their teeth to make sure they’re growing correctly, design a preventative care plan and provide advice on establishing proper dental habits for your kids.
2. Use enough fluoride
Fluoride is a natural element that has enamel-straightening properties. It helps prevent acids from dissolving the protective layer of your child’s teeth. Fluoride is a good way to strengthen teeth even before they start to grow. A proactive approach is essential to help your child achieve proper dental health. The most convenient way to get fluoride is through drinking tap water. However, if your tap water isn’t fluoridated, try asking a dental specialist about fluoride supplements for your child. These come in the form of tablets, lozenges, and drops. Besides, you can consult a dentist about silver diamine fluoride treatment, which is a great way to fight cavities and promote good oral health.
3. Eat a balanced diet
The food that children eat has a significant impact on their overall and dental health. Following a healthy diet is necessary for healthy teeth and gum lines. Diet rich in sugar is highly detrimental for both teeth and gums. Hence, try reducing your child’s intake of sugar to ensure the health of their teeth. Tooth-friendly foods include fresh veggies, proteins, nuts, whole grains, and yogurt. Because saliva provides teeth with an additional layer of protection, eating foods that stimulate its production can help prevent acid attacks from happening. Snacks like apples, cheese, sliced veggies, and carrots are great options that help produce more saliva.
4. Avoid sugary snacks after meals
Foods that are high in sugar can trigger tooth decay, so it’s best to prevent your child from eating them after meals and especially after dinner. Most kids avoid brushing their teeth properly before going to sleep. Sugar from those after-dinner snacks can accumulate in hard-to-reach areas of your child’s mouth, putting them at risk for cavities. Eating a healthier snack before bedtime or ultimately no snack at all can help reduce the odds of bad dental health in the future.
5. Water is best for teeth
Water is the healthiest beverage ever, as it provides hydration and doesn’t cause cavities. Water is also highly beneficial to reduce post-eating acids, as it helps wash out bacteria and food particles from your child’s mouth. Hence, if your child cannot brush their teeth after eating, they can simply rinse with water. Enamel is very vulnerable after eating, making brushing an abrasive action that can cause irreversible damage. Water rinses help reduce acids without causing any damage to the enamel. Hence, try adopting a family rinse habit after every meal.
6. Control your child’s juice consumption
Unluckily, all kinds of juice contain lots of sugar, which leads to a higher risk of decay and cavities. Ensure that your child drinks no more than 4 ounces of 100% juice a day, as a higher amount can be detrimental for their teeth. Remember that children under the age of 1 should not drink juice at all, as their gums are very vulnerable to the acids it produces.