9 Simple Tips to Prevent Cavities in Children

“Cavities in Children | Children generally like to eat sweet foods, such as chocolate, candy, ice cream and others. For this reason, they are more prone to cavities.”

Children who experience cavities too early can make the adjacent teeth shift. As a result, new teeth that will grow again do not have space.

Tooth decay in children needs to be prevented. In addition to disturbing appearance, cavities can cause pain and reduce a child’s appetite.

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Easy Ways to Prevent Cavities in Children

Cavities in children can be prevented by teaching simple habits of taking care of teeth. This habit must be started early, because damage to this problem can develop after the first teeth grow. Here are some simple efforts to prevent cavities in children:

• Start brushing your child’s teeth after the first teeth appear. Brush your teeth, tongue and gums twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. For children under 3 years of age, use only a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice. From the age of 3, children can use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste. 
• Floss your child’s teeth every day after the age of 2 years. 
• Make sure your child eats a balanced, healthy diet. Limit sticky, high-sugar snacks such as chips, candy, cookies and chocolate. Sugar in food will have a negative impact on children’s dental health.
• Teach children to use their tongue to clean food from their teeth. 
• Prevent the transfer of bacteria from the mouth of the father and mother to the child by not sharing eating utensils. 
• Do not put your child to sleep while drinking or eating. This not only exposes children’s teeth to sugar, but can also put children at risk for ear infections and choking. 
• If your child wants to drink with a pacifier bottle before going to bed, you should only fill it with water. 
• Teach your child to drink from a regular glass as soon as possible. At least from 12 to 15 months of age. Drinking from a glass does not cause fluid to collect around the teeth. In addition, drinking from a glass can not be done while sleeping. 
• Check with the dentist before the child is 1 year old. If there are dental problems, the doctor can see them early. Then carry out routine checks every six months. 

Dental Problems That Can Occur in Children

As your child’s permanent teeth develop, the dentist can help prevent decay by applying a thin layer of resin (or sealant) to the back teeth. This area is where chewing is done. This protective layer keeps bacteria from settling in hard-to-reach molar spaces. 

If a parent is prone to tooth decay or gum disease, the child may also be at higher risk. Sometimes the best brushing and  flossing  habits can’t prevent cavities. 

As children grow older, the dental problems they face are usually related to the tidiness or aesthetics of the teeth. Orthodontic treatment may be needed earlier. Your child may need braces or clear plastic corrective appliances when they are 7 years old.

Straightening your teeth with an orthodontist at a young age can be easier and more effective in the long run. The teeth of younger children can be positioned with fairly small orthodontic appliances, thus preventing more complicated treatments in the future. That’s why regular checkups and good dental hygiene can help prevent extensive dental work. 

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