The childhood dental care that kids receive is important to promoting lifelong oral health. There are many methods you can use to prevent cavities (or tooth decay) in your child's teeth, and our Smile Town Burnaby dentists are here to make a few recommendations.
Regular Dental Check-Ups and Cleanings
Regularly visiting the dentist with your child starting at a young age gives the dentist opportunities to recognize developing cavities. Visits can help maintain your kid's baby teeth and monitor permanent teeth as they emerge for signs of decay.
Regular dental cleanings can help prevent cavities because dentists, like those at Smile Town Burnaby, have techniques and tools to more thoroughly clean teeth than you can at home.
Preventative Orthodontics
Misaligned teeth can be harder to effectively clean than straight teeth since they have more irregular nooks and crannies.
If your child's dentist detects early signs of misalignment, they might recommend preventative orthodontics to prevent cavities.
Sealants
The nooks and crannies between your child's teeth mean that there are many places where a cavity could form that might be difficult to clean.
Dental sealants can fill in those grooves, creating a brushing surface that won't allow build-ups of food and bacteria and is much easier to maintain.
Fluoride
Fluoride helps to strengthen your teeth and can even reverse early stages of tooth decay. Sometimes extra fluoride is added to the water we drink.
Ask your dentist before incorporating fluoride toothpaste into your young child's daily hygiene routine. Too much fluoride can cause health problems itself.
Diet
Acid and sugar are the main dietary causes of cavities. Sugar feeds harmful bacteria and acids damages tooth enamel.
To help prevent cavities, many dentists recommend a diet that includes minimal sugary and acidic foods.
Daily Oral Hygiene
One of the best things you can do to prevent cavities is encourage your child in their daily brushing and flossing routine. Children should brush their teeth 2-3 times a day and floss at least once a day.
Brushing and flossing help to clean out the food bits and harmful plaque buildup in your child's mouth before they are able to damage their teeth.