How to Help Your Kids Reduce Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is becoming prevalent in young children today. Left untreated, tooth decay, also known as dental caries, can become very painful, causing eating difficulties and even speech impediments. From teaching your kids the importance of proper dental care to ensuring they get adequate fluoride intake, here are some effective ways to help your kids minimize their chances of tooth decay.

Let your kids understand why regular brushing and flossing is important

Besides helping your children brush and floss their teeth properly, you should also educate them on the value of regular brushing and flossing. You want your kids to understand that those who brush and floss their teeth at least twice a day are not only able to keep their teeth clean but also prevent tooth decay.

Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle

Prolonged contact between your baby’s teeth and sugars in breast milk or formula is not healthy for the teeth. Namely, the sugar reacts with the mouth bacteria to form acids that cause baby bottle tooth decay. Therefore, you should always remove the bottle from your baby’s mouth before he falls asleep. Moreover, remember to clean the baby’s teeth after nighttime feeding.

Provide your kids with a healthy diet

The foods and drinks your children consume contribute significantly to their risk for tooth decay. You should give your kids nutrient-rich foods that include whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Be sure to mix these foods in a way that help minimize the risk of tooth decay.

Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt promote healthy teeth.  They are effective in eliminating harmful sugars from the mouth and preventing plaque build-up. You can give your kids these foods as snacks between meals.

On the other hand, sugar-rich foods, especially sticky, sweet foods are notorious for causing tooth decay.  It’s advisable to rinse your kid’s teeth after eating such foods.

Maintain regular dental checkups

Children’s dentist appointments are just as important as adult checkups. You should take your kids to a pediatric dentist for a routine checkup and professional cleaning at least once every six months. These checkups help to ensure that potential dental problems can be detected early and treated before they progress to more serious complications.

Consider applying sealants

Sealants are an excellent way to minimize your children’s risk for tooth decay and cavities. They are a kind of protective coating that is applied to the teeth to prevent bacteria and plaque from getting stuck on the surface of the molars. This reduces the risk for tooth decay.

Fluoride is essential for your child’s dental health

Fluoride is one of the most effective methods to protects against early tooth decay. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research claims that fluoride is effective in reversing tooth decay in the early stages. It can achieve that in two ways:

• Decelerating mineral loss or replacing lost enamel
• Preventing mouth bacteria from producing acid that can erode teeth enamel.

There are several to ensure that your kids are getting sufficient amounts of fluoride, including:

• Giving them fluoridated tap water – This can reduce your child’s risk for tooth decay by at least 20 percent, according to the American Dental Association.
• Using a kid-friendly, fluoride-containing toothpaste
• Taking fluoride supplements – Your dentist should advise on appropriate fluoride supplements for kids.

In Conclusion

Tooth decay is one of the major dental problems that children face today. It can inflict pain and lead to costly treatments if not addressed in time. You can implement the above six tips to protect your kids against tooth decay effectively.