How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children
Tooth decay can be a major problem for children. Frequent snacking or sipping sugary drinks gives mouth bacteria the fuel they need to produce acids that erode teeth and cause cavities.
When cavities are caught early, they can usually be reversed with fluoride treatments. The best way to prevent tooth decay in children is to make sure that they brush regularly, eat a healthy diet and visit the dentist regularly. Hope this article by Best Dental lab In India gives you proper knowledge about take care of tooth decay in Children.
Tooth decay develops when germs in the mouth make a sticky covering on teeth called plaque. These germs feed on sugar in foods and drinks, producing acid that can damage tooth enamel over time. The damage can lead to holes in the teeth called cavities.
Childrenâs teeth are more likely to get cavities than adultsâ, but they can be prevented with proper oral hygiene, a healthy diet and regular dental visits. Tooth loss can cause problems with eating, speech and the growth and development of permanent adult teeth.
It is important to start brushing your childâs teeth as soon as they appear, twice a day with a soft toothbrush and water. Children under 3 should have an adult supervise brushing to make sure they donât swallow toothpaste. Once children are 3 years old, they can brush their own teeth as long as they spit out the excess toothpaste and can reach all surfaces of the teeth.
It is also important to limit how much sugar is eaten and drink and to teach children to eat âtooth-friendlyâ foods, such as cheese and chopped vegetables that require chewing, and whole grains. Drinking tap water can help prevent decay because most public water supplies contain fluoride, which can reduce tooth decay by strengthening enamel. If your children live in an area without fluoridated water, ask your dentist about a fluoride supplement or rinsing with mouthwash that contains fluoride.
Flossing is another often-overlooked part of a healthy oral health routine, but it helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease and other health issues. Children should floss daily to remove food, plaque and other debris that a toothbrush can't reach.
Tooth decay is easier to treat in its early stages, before the enamel begins to break down and before a cavity forms. A fluoride treatment at this stage can reverse the decay, strengthening the enamel. If cavities are caught later, more serious procedures like dental fillings or root canals may be required to repair the damage. Advanced tooth decay can also lead to the loss of a permanent tooth, which can have consequences for your child's speech and overall oral development and health in the future.
Help your children develop good oral hygiene habits by encouraging them to brush and floss daily, and scheduling regular dental check-ups. Pediatric dentists are skilled at communicating with children and can help your kids develop positive habits that will last a lifetime.
Visit the Dentist Regularly
Visiting the dentist regularly is important for children, not only to demonstrate that oral health is a priority but also to catch signs of tooth decay before it becomes a serious issue. During regular checkups and cleanings, fluoride treatment is applied to prevent the teeth from becoming infected and damaged.
Tooth decay happens when germs build up on the teeth and start to eat away at the enamel. This causes holes called cavities. If a cavity is caught in the early stages before the enamel has become weakened by the bacteria, it can be reversed with remineralization treatments from your dentist.
If the cavity reaches a stage where the dentin is affected, your dentist will need to perform a pulpectomy or a dental filling. If the tooth is so damaged that it is causing an abscess, your child may need antibiotics or a crown.
Babies and toddlers can be more susceptible to tooth decay because they have new baby teeth, which are more porous than adult teeth and often have gaps. If these new teeth are exposed to sugar and milk, formula or other sugary beverages, the bacteria can start to erode the enamel and cause decay. Using a toothbrush and toothpaste with fluoride on a daily basis, eating a low-sugar diet and avoiding dummies can help to prevent decay in these young teeth.
Tooth decay can cause pain and infection and may lead to loss of baby teeth. The loss of these teeth can impact speech, eating and jaw development and increase the risk of permanent tooth loss later in life. Severe decay can also lead to problems with nutrition and growth.
Brushing and flossing alone will not protect your child from tooth decay, but a healthy diet will. Limiting sugary snacks and drinks will help. Sugary foods and drinks stay on teeth longer, which feeds bacteria that cause cavities. Encourage your children to eat foods that are tooth friendly like cheese, vegetables and fruits. Some medicines can reduce saliva flow and make teeth more susceptible to decay, so itâs important to talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what you can do to combat this.
Often times, the first sign of decay is white spots on the teeth that appear when minerals are lost from the tooth enamel. If the tooth is caught at this stage, it is possible to reverse the damage with a fluoride treatment from the dentist. However, if the decay is allowed to progress to more advanced stages, cavities will develop that need to be filled with dental fillings.
Kids learn best from their parents, so model good oral hygiene habits for your children. Make brushing a family activity and set an egg timer to encourage everyone to brush for 2 minutes. You can also buy kid friendly toothbrushes that have fun lights and music to make brushing more appealing for younger children.
