How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Children?

Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health conditions children experience. It is also a common cause for tooth loss and tooth pain, in addition to gum disease later in life. The easiest way to stop these potential problems is to use preventative measures toward your oral health.

What causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is caused when bacteria is allowed to sit and accumulate in the mouth. This bacterium affects healthy tissue and does this well into the layers of the gums and teeth. Teeth that are infected usually swell with infection and cause a great deal of pain. For children, tooth decay has hopefully not gotten to a point of causing this to happen. A pediatric dentist is the best solution to tooth decay problems with your child.

Preventing Tooth Decay

Before scheduling a visit with a pediatric dentist, make sure that you are helping your children prevent tooth decay at home. There are several things that you can do.

1. Avoid giving your child sweet snacks and candy. These things are breeding grounds for cavities since the sugar ‘melts’ the enamel of the teeth. The same goes for sodas. Water and 100% fruit juice is best.
2. Brushing teeth thoroughly for two minutes twice per day is another way to help prevent tooth decay. Your child is old enough to floss at about age 9 or 10, so be sure to add this step to their oral health care agenda.
3. Take your child to the pediatric dentist Birmingham once every six months. This checkup can detect any kind of tooth decay or other problems that your child might have. These regular visits certainly help keep your oral health care in control.
4. You can have sealants placed on your child’s teeth. Sealants act as a protective coating to help prevent tartar build-up.

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