Oral health is vital for children from a tender age. Typically, dental decay or cavities damage a child's dentition when the first tooth appears. Foods and liquids that have sugar accumulate in the mouth, attracting bacteria.
When you don't wipe off the particles, brush, or floss, then decay commences. Therefore, you need to start early oral hygiene to ward off such problems. Here are practical ways to prevent early childhood cavities.
Foster Oral Hygiene Habits Early
Once your baby starts teething, teach them how to brush their teeth. It can be a daunting task, but practice and patience will make the process a success. The bright side is that you can make teeth brushing a fun activity for kids above one year. Sing their favorite songs to make the session more fascinating.
At the age of two to three, your child can start flossing to remove food particles stuck in between teeth. Teach them how to use dental floss for some time, and then supervise the activity when they have fully learned how to do it.
A Healthy Diet Is the Secret
Sugary foods are the root cause of cavities among kids. Thankfully, you can incorporate a balanced diet and limit sweet stuff. Also, ensure that your children take enough water to balance out acids in the mouth. These foods can promote healthy teeth in kids:
The above foods are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C to promote strong teeth. Avoid flavored milk for kids since they contain artificial sweeteners.
Fluoride Is Essential
Kids' toothpaste comes with minimal fluoride because their teeth are pretty sensitive. As they grow older, you can supplement the product by talking to a dentist. Fluoride protects teeth from dental decay. Ensure that your children are consuming fluoridated water to boost enamel strength.
Bear in mind that excessive fluorides cause tooth discoloration. Therefore, use it in recommended quantities to maintain oral health to avoid staining your child's teeth.
Visit a Dentist
Children's dentistry is beneficial in safeguarding your kid against early cavities. As soon as your kid develops their first teeth, visit a pediatric dentist. The expert will examine the dentition to look for any underlying problems.
In addition to that, the professional will give you more nuggets of wisdom about how to take care of your kid's teeth. Schedule an appointment before your baby turns one year to see a dentist for expert guidance and assistance.
Share13 July 2021
Halloween is a holiday that my children love, and telling them they can't go door-to-door collecting candy would break their hearts. This led me to allowing them to collect candy on the holiday, then rationing it out to them every day instead of letting them gobble it up in just a few days. I always thought this was better for them, but my dentist told me this could be the reason why their February dental check-ups were always their worst ones. Daily candy consumption was taking a toll on their teeth. I started a new tradition of letting them indulge for two days, then giving them the option to swap the rest with me in exchange for a new toy. They never pass on the opportunity for a new toy. I created this blog to encourage other parents find similar tactics to keep their children's teeth healthy after Halloween.