If you had cavities when you were a child, you may be wondering how you can prevent your kids from getting cavities as well. Preventing cavities can be a challenge for adults, and it can be an even bigger challenge for kids. A few tips can help you prevent your kids from getting cavities, or at least reduce their risk.
How Can I Prevent My Kids From Getting Cavities?
Visit Your Dentist
One of the best ways to prevent your kids from getting cavities is to visit the dentist early on. If your child is at risk for developing cavities or other dental problems, your dentist can detect this problem early on and intervene. Taking your child to the dentist every six months will help prevent problems from forming, and help your child develop good habits early on.
Your dentist can also provide professional treatments that can help your child avoid cavities. Fluoride treatments, for example, will help to remineralize teeth and fight the effects of plaque and bacteria. These treatments are extremely helpful in preventing your kids from getting cavities.
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Brush Twice a Day
Though it may seem obvious, brushing twice a day is one of the best ways to prevent your kids from getting cavities. To encourage your kids to brush twice a day, it’s ideal to brush along with them at a young age. When brushing becomes a regular part of your routine, it will be easy to remember and it won’t seem like a chore. If your kids don’t like brushing their teeth, there are a few other strategies you can try to build up a good brushing habit. You might try games, dances, rewards, or challenges to encourage your kids to brush their teeth.
Floss Early
Bacteria that cause cavities can easily hide in the tight spaces between teeth. Flossing will break up food particles and bacteria colonies, so they can be rinsed away. Flossing regularly not only helps to prevent cavities, but it also prevents bacteria from causing gum disease. Both of these factors will help to keep your child’s mouth healthy.
Estimates show that only about 30 to 40% of adults floss regularly. If you don’t floss regularly, now is a great time to start. Your kids will learn from your example and make flossing a regular part of your routine. If you or your children don’t like using floss, you might try a water flosser or dental pick.
Drink Soda and Juice Sparingly
Sugary drinks like soda and juice promote the growth of the bacteria that cause cavities. Though many juices also have vitamins and minerals, soda doesn’t really have any benefits, other than a sweet, fizzy taste. The acids in soda can also weaken teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities. It’s a good idea to treat soda and juice as a sometimes-drink. This will help to prevent your kids from getting cavities, but it will help prevent other negative health effects as well.
Drink Water
Saliva helps to wash bacteria away and keep our mouths healthy. Regular water works in much the same way. Water has numerous health benefits, including helping protect teeth from cavities. Drinking water regularly, especially after eating or drinking sugary drinks, is a great habit to start. You can help your family drink more water by making it easily accessible, by setting goals, or rewarding water-drinking over drinking other beverages.
Eat Candy Sparingly
Children are attracted to sugary, chocolatey candy, cereals, and other foods, but these foods aren’t good for teeth. Sugary candy, just like juice and soda, help to promote the growth of bacteria that cause cavities. While candy, chocolates, and other sugary treats are fun to enjoy once in a while, they shouldn’t be a regular part of your child’s daily diet.
If you’re worried about your children getting cavities, make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist can tell you if your child is at risk of tooth decay or gum disease, and what you can do about it. If you live in Las Vegas, Laughlin, or Henderson, Nevada, make an appointment with a BDG dentist.
