Your child’s smile is one of the most precious things, and their baby teeth play a significant role in their overall health and development. As a parent, it is important that you prioritize comprehensive dental care from the start to ensure their teeth are healthy and bright. If you don’t, your child may experience cavities in baby teeth that can cause discomfort, affect nutrition, and impact speech development.
But what exactly can you do to help your child avoid these cavities? At Mills River Family Dental, we understand how important it is to avoid these early childhood cavities. But we also understand that you might not know how to prevent the development of these cavities if this is your first child. If you want to prevent cavities in baby teeth, keep reading to see what our team recommends.
Why Do We Get Cavities?
Cavities develop when bacteria in your mouth interact with sugar and starches from the food and drinks you consume to produce acids. These oral acids gradually erode your enamel, creating tiny openings or holes in your tooth’s surface. Several factors may contribute to the formation of cavities, though.
Poor oral hygiene, such as inadequate or infrequent brushing and flossing, allows plaque to build up on your teeth. Consuming sugary or starchy foods and beverages may also fuel the production of acid that attacks your enamel. Additionally, a lack of saliva can increase your risk of cavities.
In some cases, you may also be genetically predisposed to cavities. Understanding these factors and adopting good oral hygiene habits can help you prevent cavities and maintain optimal dental health. However, if you want to prevent cavities in baby teeth, there are some things you should do with your child to ensure the most success.
How Can You Prevent Cavities in Baby Teeth?
1. Brush As Soon As Teeth Grow In
As soon as your child’s first tooth emerges, it is important to brush them every day. Even when your child is only consuming formula or breast milk, they are still susceptible to tooth decay that may lead to cavities in baby teeth. Just like adult teeth, you should brush your child’s teeth at least twice a day to remove any debris and brush away bacteria that may lead to decay. The moment your child’s first tooth emerges, make sure to get a baby-safe toothbrush and toothpaste to keep their mouth clean.
2. Encourage Drinking Water
If your child is thirsty, try to encourage them to drink water as frequently as possible. It is easiest to lead by example. If you drink plenty of water, your child may be more inclined to drink it as well. By drinking water, you can avoid excess sugars in their mouth that can lead to cavities in baby teeth. Keep bottled water on hand when you leave the house, and make sure to pack a bottle of water in their backpack when they head to school.
3. Avoid Sticky, Sugary Snacks
Just as sticky, sugary snacks aren’t good for adult teeth, they can also be damaging to baby teeth. When giving your children snacks, it is best to provide them with fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and nuts that can help scrape away at plaque forming on their teeth and fight bacteria and acid. Not only will these snacks help you prevent cavities in baby teeth, but they can also prevent damage to your enamel.
4. Teach Them Proper Brushing and Flossing Techniques
As your child gets older and more teeth come in, it is essential that you teach them how to care for their teeth properly. Teach them how to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly to ensure they remove plaque and bacteria from your mouth that may lead to cavities in baby teeth. The earlier you teach these techniques, the better your child will be at caring for their teeth when you are not around to help.
5. Assist Them With Brushing
While you can teach your child how to care for their teeth properly, it is still important to assist them with brushing and flossing. Until your child is eight years old, it is best to monitor their toothbrushing abilities. During this, you can determine if they are addressing debris on their molars, which they may struggle to reach. This monitoring can help you determine where they need help and prevent cavities in baby teeth.
6. Ask About Dental Sealants
If you notice that your child is struggling to reach their back teeth and remove plaque properly, you might want to speak to your dental team about sealants. Dental sealants are thin, plastic coverings that can protect clean teeth from the development of plaque, tartar, and harmful bacteria that may lead to tooth decay. These sealants may need to be reapplied every two to four years, though you should also monitor their dental health to determine if these can be removed altogether.
7. Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year
The best way to help your child avoid cavities in baby teeth is by scheduling twice-yearly appointments with your trusted dental team. During these regular appointments and cleanings, they can catch the earliest signs of tooth decay and offer advice on how to address any problems with their teeth. Additionally, during these appointments, they can determine if your child will need orthodontic intervention, improving their overall dental function.
Protect Your Child’s Teeth with Mills River Family Dental
One of the easiest ways to prevent cavities in baby teeth is by working with a reliable dental team, like our team at Mills River Family Dental. With years of experience helping parents and children across the Mills River, North Carolina, area protect their baby teeth, we are confident that we can do the same for you.
From regular dental cleanings to cavity treatment, root canals, and more, our Mills River Family Dental team provides a variety of treatments to keep your teeth looking their best all year long. If you want to schedule a dental cleaning or need to address cavities in baby teeth, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team today.
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