Did you know that tooth decay is not only limited to adults and is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases in the United States? Dental pain from tooth decay is one of the leading causes of missed work and school days, leading dental professionals to wonder, if parents understood how to prevent cavities from the start, maybe we could start to limit those painful (and dreaded) dental visits. When you develop good oral care habits starting from infancy, you can easily prevent cavities and help your child develop a long-lasting, healthy smile. This article provides tips for parents to help prevent a very preventable childhood disease: dental cavities.
The Dangers of Bottle Decay and Sugary Snacks
If you have an infant or toddler, there is likely some sleep deprivation for both parents and children, which leads parents to go down the route of giving a bottle at night to calm their sleepy child. However, improper infant feeding by prolonged bottle use while sleeping, combined with poor oral care, can result in tooth decay in infancy. For example, if the substance in the bottle is high in sugar, whether it is juice or milk, the teeth will bathe in it, ultimately causing baby bottle tooth decay. This is because the mouth’s environment changes the longer and more often teeth are exposed to sugar, which leads to the buildup of dental plaque.
The good thing is that preventing cavities in toddlers is easy – instead, opt for water in the bottle if your child requires a bottle throughout the night. If your baby is chronically nursing, it may have the same impact as a bottle of milk or juice. Keep a stack of gauze by your bedside so you can gently and easily cleanse your child’s teeth after nursing to avoid the build-up and exposure of sugars to their teeth.
Fluoride Toothpaste: When and How Much to Use
Mom groups and online forums can make a new parent conflicted about whether or not to use fluoride for their little ones. The truth is, fluoride is a mineral designed to be used in safe increments in toothpaste to help remineralize teeth and prevent tooth decay. When you use the appropriate amount of toothpaste for your child, you help set them up with a protected layer of fluorapatite on the surface of enamel that is more resistant to breaking down and creating holes, or cavities.
You should start using fluoride toothpaste for your child when their first tooth erupts, which is typically around six months old. For little ones who can’t spit, a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is recommended, and for older kids, a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste will suffice.
Can you still get cavities while using fluoride toothpaste? Of course! Fluoride is not a foolproof mechanism, but according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, fluoride toothpaste is one of the top ways to help prevent tooth decay. Many people believe that if their child develops a cavity in a baby tooth, it is not necessary to fix it because it will fall out. While this is true, if you leave an untreated cavity in a primary molar of a 4 to 6-year-old, more than likely it will turn into a larger cavity and develop some sort of pain or infection since that tooth doesn’t exfoliate for about 5-6 years.
Always ask your dentist and hygienist about the best tools (including toothpastes and floss) for your young one. They will guide you in choosing the right materials based on your child’s needs, since everyone requires different toothpaste depending on their age, medical and dental histories, and preferences. This is especially true for fluoride since it comes in various forms like pastes, chewing vitamins, drops, and rinses.
Brushing Routines for Wiggly Kids
Daily brushing for squirmy kids can be challenging for parents to manage. The best suggestion dental professionals have is to make it routine and fun. There are numerous oral care products designed for children to encourage them to make teeth brushing and flossing a fun time.
Electric toothbrushes for kids, like Oral-B and Sonic Care, have apps made for children that track their brushing progress like a game. They get rewards for brushing well and it reinforces good oral habits while also being entertaining.
Create a chart that if your child brushes independently and well they get a reward after a certain benchmark. There are timers for kids to set so they know when to start and stop so that they are brushing independently but efficiently.
Flossers come in fun designs with kid flavors like grape, orange, or strawberry, which encourages kids to want to use them and also teaches them from an early age that flossing should be a part of their daily routine.
Healthy Snack Swaps and Drinking Habits
Choosing healthy snack options for children can be wildly overwhelming, especially when grocery aisles contain dozens of appealing, but unhealthy snack choices. It is not to say your child can’t have the occasional candy or sweet treat, but it is best to keep those limited to special occasions.
Choose healthy snacks that are not high in sugar or carbohydrates. Snacks like Goldfish, Cheese-Its, and chips are common baggie snacks for children because they are easy, affordable, and yummy for little ones. Yet, these types of dense carbohydrate snacks are some of the highest causes of tooth decay in young children because they become sticky and paste-like on teeth. It is difficult to remove and oftentimes gets stuck between little ones’ teeth, leaving cavities between teeth and on chewing surfaces.
Instead, opt for snacks like cucumber sticks, cheese string, carrot sticks, and air-puffed snacks. Always choose water as a beverage if possible. If your child has the occasional juice or soda, remember to rinse with water afterwards and brush with a fluoride toothpaste that day to remove any unwanted sugars on their teeth.
Make a First Dental Visit for Your Toddler
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends that children have their first dental visit by the age of one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. There are a few important reasons for this early dental visit, including:
- Preventative care: Applying fluoride varnish and a dental cleaning can help remove plaque and will lower the risk for tooth decay.
- Parent education: This is the primary reason for scheduling an early dental appointment. An early visit helps establish a “dental home” and educates parents on diet, brushing techniques, and habits like prolonged bottle feeding or pacifier use.
- Assess dental development: Ensuring your child’s teeth and jaw are growing appropriately.
Help prepare your child by reading a dental story about a first dental appointment or watching an educational video that shows the steps in going to the dentist. This may help alleviate any fears and remind your child of the fun things that happen when they go to the dentist.
Make a dental visit to discuss any questions or concerns you may have so you can learn about the dos and don’ts when it comes to your little one’s teeth. When you make informed and educated choices about your diet, oral care products, and habits, you can help maintain healthy teeth and support their overall health, giving them a fantastic start to a healthy life. At Caldwell, Bills, Petrilli & West, we would love to be a part of your child’s dental journey. Contact us today to make an appointment.