Cavity Fighting Oral Health Tips From a Kids Dentist

In our kids dentist office, we see a lot of cavities.  This goes with the territory as children are more susceptible to tooth decay in the first place. This can be due to a variety of reasons and in our office, we often give parents some suggestions and tips for things that they can do to help their children stay in better oral health. If you are tired of your kids experiencing tooth decay, here is what you can try at home:

• No more bubblegum. This is one of the worst things that your kids can put into their mouth.  No matter how much of a pastime it is or how kids love it, skip the bubble gum and avoid it at all costs. If they absolutely must have gum, give them the sugar-free kind that contains Xylitol.  This can actually be good for them and help to reduce the risk of cavities but only if it contains this key ingredient.
• Make them rinse.  As a kids dentist, we understand that it can be difficult to get kids excited about brushing their teeth.  The problem is that children tend to snack more often than adults.  By eating all day long, food and sugar stay on the teeth longer in between brushing.  Kids can end up at risk for tooth decay due to the sheer number of times that they eat and what they eat when they do.  With that in mind, have them rinse their mouth with water, every time that they have a snack or have something to drink.  This is so easy that children of all ages can do it, and this will at least remove some of the surface food particles and bacteria.
• Use fluoride.  We provide fluoride treatments in our dental office and recommend them for both children and teens.  You can continue to strengthen their teeth at home by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste.  This will aid in the process of remineralization so that they can fight off tooth decay before it takes hold.  This single step can greatly reduce the risk of them getting cavities.
• Buy a new toothbrush.  Believe it or not, many children don’t get a good enough clean simply because their toothbrush isn’t good anymore.  Toothbrushes should be changed out around every three months.  It can be even more often in children due to their propensity to chew on them and abuse them, in general.  If you see that the bristles have started to split, or it looks really dirty – time to buy a new one.  This way their efforts will be more effective.
• Change their diet.  Children tend to eat too many processed carbs and sugary snacks. This is bad for the health of their body and for that of their teeth.  In order to keep teeth strong and healthy, give your children foods like nuts, dairy products, lean protein and green leafy veggies.  For example, they can snack on carrots, almonds, and string cheese.  These snacks are ready-made and just as easy as giving them chips or a cookie.  The only difference is that they are good for them.

To learn more about how to keep your children in good oral health, call our kids dentist office and schedule a dental exam.