How to Prevent Cavities in Children

Good oral hygiene and regular visits to the family dentist can prevent cavities in children entirely. However, proper dental care has to begin before the first tooth appears which is almost immediately after child birth. According to the experts, an infant’s teeth normally begin to form during the second trimester of your pregnancy. During delivery, the baby already has twenty primary teeth, inside the jaw.

Keeping your child’s teeth cavity free!

Dampening a washcloth and running it over the baby's gums will help clean harmful bacteria. You can also brush your child’s teeth with an infant toothbrush, utilizing water with just a little toothpaste till about age two. By the time kids turn 2 most of them can spit while brushing. Make them use pea-sized amount of paste till the age of 5, under supervision.

Remember, even babies are prone to tooth decay if you don’t practice good feeding habits. Putting your child to sleep with a milk bottle can harm the child’s teeth. If sugar from milk remains on the teeth for several hours, it can erode the enamel. Severe cases can even result in cavities and extraction.

• Drinking or eating before bedtime
• Frequent sipping and snacking
• Having too much candy every day
• Not brushing or cleaning before bed

Experts believe that sealants are one of the best tools in fighting tooth decay among children. The material is a shaded or clear plastic resin that is applied to the back of the child’s tooth and parts susceptible to cavities. When put on to the chewing surface of the tooth, the coating acts as a barrier between the harmful bacteria and the projection. It is extremely effective when applied to a surface that is susceptible to decay. With a sealant, there is no discomfort or drilling. It can last for several years but may require regular checking during dental appointments.

Prescription strength fluoride under the supervision of a dental expert is recommended bi-annually for almost all kids. For those kids who are susceptible to developing oral cavities, fluoride treatments are advised every three months. It is best to leave the decision to your dentist, who will evaluate the child's risk for cavities and recommend treatment accordingly.

We all have a family dentist who takes care of the oral health of our entire family. It is best to take your child to the dentist regularly. Although most family dentists have the expertise to handle kids, they might recommend your child to a pediatric dentist, if need be.

Pediatric dentists specialize in treating children. They are trained to handle a range of problems associated with a child’s dental health. The primary goal of any pediatric dentist is prevention and maintenance by using routine checkups and care to keep gums and teeth healthy.