How To Prevent Cavities In Children

Even though you might think that you are taking good care of your child’s teeth, there is still a possibility that they will develop cavities. If you are struggling to find the right techniques to avoid these issues, you are at the right place.

This article will help you understand cavities in children and babies, how they are caused, and what can be done to prevent them. Although people think that tooth decay is only a result of unhealthy eating it is important to understand that there is a mix of several factors, including biological, environmental, and behavioral ones. It is very important to find the right strategies and techniques to minimize the possibility of tooth decay. 

What Causes Cavities In Children And Babies?

Like we said before teeth can form cavities due to a combination of several factors. While some of them are very common among children and babies other ones can be more complicated. This is still a subject of study so there are no indefinite answers. 

However, the good news is that there are several steps you can take to avoid this issue. Furthermore, we will discuss in more detail some of the most common reasons why your child might develop cavities.  

Oral Bacterial Colonization

Although it is believed that sugar is the number one enemy of our teeth, did you know that it does not cause any harm to our oral health directly? Rather, sugar acts as food that feeds bacteria. These harmful bacteria then produce acid which eventually causes cavities and tooth decay. 

The relationship between sugar and dental decay comes from the fact that these dangerous bacteria eat sugar. When we eat sweet meals or foods that break down into sugars in our mouths, these bacteria thrive on the sugars, multiplying and growing until they metabolize into an acidic waste product that is toxic.

Children might be exposed to microorganisms that cause cavities through their saliva. These germs can spread to anybody, even other children, but mothers are the primary carriers of the bacterium in most cases. 

The more frequently a child’s mouth comes into touch with saliva that contains cavity-causing bacteria, the more probable it is that hazardous germs will colonize the mouth. Additionally, a young child is more prone to get cavities if their mouth is colonized by germs that cause cavities.

It is important to pay careful attention to what your child is putting in their mouth since it is very easy for the bacteria to transmit through the saliva of other people, especially from people who have untreated cavities. One thing you can do is to avoid sharing eating utensils and cleaning toys before they play since they put everything in their mouth. 

Dietary Habits

As we mentioned before, bacteria thrive on sugar so if your child consumes it regularly is no wonder that they will develop cavities. However, some children can be more prone to this development than others meaning that the parent should take precautions to avoid them as early as possible. 

Talking to a pediatric dentist about your child’s cavity issues is the best way to avoid tooth decay and potential tooth loss. Some important factors to consider if you want to avoid these oral issues include:

1. Sweets Are Not The Only Problematic Foods

Many people think that sugar is the only problematic food and the main reason for cavities, but it’s not just that. You should be aware that carbohydrates are just as bad because when they break down, they turn into sugars, which will feed cavities and eventually decay the tooth. 

This being said, there are other foods you should avoid, including processed and starchy ones. This may be difficult since children enjoy eating these unhealthy foods, and they can be hard to avoid.  

2. It’s Not Just About The Total Amount Of Sugar Consumed

The main issue with sugary foods and carbohydrates is not the amount that is consumed or their frequency but rather the amount of time they spend in your mouth. Since children dont understand the importance of dental health, it is the job of the parent to make sure that the sugar doesnt stay there for long. 

However, this still doesnt mean that the child should eat desserts before they brush their teeth, but it means that if they eat them frequently during the day without brushing their teeth, it will have worse effects. Additionally, meals like yogurt that are rapidly removed from the mouth are better for your child’s teeth than sweet, starchy items that stay in their mouth for a long period, such as hard candies or sticky foods.

Dentists recommend that parents avoid giving their children sugary juices in sippy cups or bottles throughout the day since they will be tempted. This will allow bacteria to grow and feed into the mouth and eventually cause damage to the teeth. Keep in mind that even fruit juices contain sugars that can damage children’s teeth.

We know that sugar cannot be totally avoided especially in children since they enjoy it too much, however, it is important to consume it in moderation and preferably around meal times and not throughout the whole day. After your child eats, make it a habit to brush their teeth. 

3. Babies Should Not Sleep with Bottles

Although many babies fall asleep while drinking milk or juice it is very important to not make it a habit. The bottle of juice will allow sugars to accumulate in the child’s upper teeth, making them more prone to decay. 

Your toddler’s teeth might get cavities even if you put them to bed with a bottle of milk. While milk doesn’t directly cause cavities, drinking milk from a bottle might slow down your child’s natural salivary flow, which helps to clean their teeth. 

Dental Enamel Defects

The tough, protective layer that covers a tooth is called dental enamel. Children who have specific forms of enamel deficiencies, including enamel hypoplasia, may be more susceptible to tooth decay. These malformations may be inherited or the consequence of external events such as low birth weight, bacterial and viral infections, or tooth damage.

During your kid’s routine dental examination, a pediatric dentist can identify issues in the tooth enamel and work closely with you and your child to create a customized strategy to lower the child’s risk of cavities.

Oral Hygiene Habits

A proper cleaning routine is the best way to keep your child’s teeth healthy and lower the risk of developing cavities. This routine should start as soon as your baby starts developing their first tooth. 

It is also important to practice flossing as soon as your child has two teeth that touch each other. However, don’t rush into this; consult with a pediatrician dentist as they will explain the process in detail and help you practice safe cleaning methods.

Fluoride toothpaste strengthens your child’s dental enamel, and brushing their teeth helps get rid of microorganisms that cause cavities. Also flossing your child’s teeth eliminates dangerous bacteria from areas between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach.

Mouth Breathing

As you might know, normal saliva flow is very important for the health of our teeth and mouth. Saliva will work as a natural protector of your teeth and will help digest good particles while repairing the damage that bacteria will cause to the teeth. 

People who have difficulties breathing from their nose due to medical reasons will often suffer from dry mouth which will lead to the formation of cavities. If you notice that your child has difficulties breathing from their nose, contact a pediatric dentist, and they will help you fix this issue before causing additional problems to their health. 

How To Prevent Cavities In Children & Babies

It Is Very Important To Drink Water Throughout The Day

The best drink your child should consume is water. Water will not only keep the mouth hydrated and balanced but also help wash away food particles that are left behind. Although we know that sugary drinks and juices are delicious, it is better to avoid them as much as possible. 

Not only will juices contain sugar, but some of them can also be acidic, such as oranges. A combination of sugar and acid is the worst enemy of the mouth. The best thing you can do is to replace these sugary drinks with water. 

Try To Introduce Your Child to Non-Starchy, Non-Sticky Snacks

Although we put a lot of focus on sugar, starchy foods like chips are just as bad. Just like hard candy, they get stuck between your teeth for a very long time. This way, bacteria have plenty of food and time to feed. 

Basically, any snack that contains sugar and is sticky will harm your teeth. This is due to the fact that they are hard to remove if you don’t brush your teeth, and they will stay there for a long time. The best thing to do is to avoid them as much as you can, but if you want to make an exception, it is better to consume them close to brushing time. 

A decent, healthy, and delicious replacement for these kinds of snacks would be yogurt, cheese, nuts, apple slices, and other protein-rich snacks. These types of snacks are less likely to cling to teeth and feed bacteria.

Pay Attention To Your Child’s Meal And Snack Times

As you may have understood by now, bacteria will eat every time your child eats, too. Besides carefully deciding on the foods that your child needs to eat, it is also important to put healthy restrictions on the frequency of the meals. If they want a snack, it is better to choose healthy options. Also, keep in mind that water will be your child’s best friend. 

Brush Children’s Teeth As Soon As They Get Their First Tooth

Dentists recommend parents to start introducing brushing as soon as the child’s first teeth erupt. Prior to this, you can use a small washcloth that will help you remove natural sugars. 

Fluoride-free toothpaste designed specifically for infants and young children is the ideal option since they will enjoy the taste and want to eat it or suck on the brush. However, fluoride toothpaste is not required at this age. For kids aged three to six years old and capable of spitting out toothpaste, a pea-sized amount of toothpaste containing fluoride is suitable.

Do Not Share Utensils With Your Child

There are differences between the microorganisms in your mouth and those in your child’s mouth.  Dental caries is an illness that spreads easily. Put another way, if you bite into your child’s spoon, you might introduce bacteria that cause cavities in their mouth. 

Also, be careful with pacifiers. We have noticed that some parents put them in their mouths after they drop, thinking they are cleaning them. On the contrary, you are introducing it to more bacteria, especially if you have a history of cavities. Make sure to maintain regular oral hygiene to reduce the chance of transmitting this bacteria to your child.

Teach Kids The Correct Way To Use A Floss Stick

Little hands may find it simpler to handle a floss stick than string floss.  Children should move the floss stick’s string between two teeth in order to utilize it correctly. The ideal technique is to glide the floss across the teeth’s surfaces softly. To avoid irritating the gums, it’s crucial that kids use the floss softly and under supervision at first until they get used to it.

Introduce Them To An Electric Toothbrush Around Age 3 Or 4

With the use of an electric toothbrush, children can remove food particles and plaque much more effectively.  Also, they will find it more enjoyable and easy, making it a pleasurable routine. 

Take Them To The Dentist Twice A Year 

One of the best things you can do for yourself and your child is to send them to the dentist at least twice a year. Not only will this avoid dentist phobia, but it will also make the teeth grow healthy and strong. 

The dentist can administer fluoride treatments during these routine checkups, strengthening your child’s teeth in the process. The tougher it is for germs to penetrate the tooth’s outer layer, the stronger the teeth. The dentist may treat deterioration in its early stages even if it has already begun, saving you money on costly tooth repair procedures in the future.