According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) 90 percent of tooth decay, one of the most common infant disease, can be prevented, the AAPD has gathered a series of recommendations to eradicate the problem of the tooth decay in children. Following them day after day will guarantee perfect oral health for your children.
Tooth decay in children – a preventable disease.
Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay Among children
• A visit to the dentist when reaching the first year of life:
Take your children to the dentist when they are six months old. This will allow the dentist to have general knowledge of the kid’s health situation. The time limit to take a child to the dentist is when they are one year old. By making an appointment with the dentist, parents will be making sure the child will be able to chew food effectively. Sometimes, speaking problems have their root in unhealthy teeth. In order to make sure your child speaks clearly and smiles confidently, make sure your first appointment with the dentist is no longer than his or her first year of life.
• Use Fluoride Toothpaste:
Flouride strengthens the tooth enamel. Start of your kids with small fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride fosters good teeth development and growth. A very practical way to help your child consume it is by choosing a bottled water brand that includes it. The dentist can also help with this by recommending good products and detecting if there is a real need for fluoride consumption.
• Healthy eating habits:
the diet consumed by children should be balanced and rich in calcium, the mineral that prevents cavities to appear. Sugar should be strictly limited, and not only regarding its amount but also by limiting the time of exposure to it. Preventing tooth decay in children is also related to the amount of time the teeth are exposed to the sugary food or drink. When your child is eating a dessert, some candies or drinking a soft drink, parents should put a time limit to finish consuming such food or drink. This will reduce the time the teeth are exposed to the hazards of sugar.
• Small glasses to drink soft drinks:
in order to avoid the tendency of spending half an hour or more with the soft drink bottle, parents should serve it in small glasses and limit the consumption time for it. Teeth brushing should take place immediately after drinking it.
• No feeding bottles to sleep:
some children may need the sensation of the feeding bottle to fall asleep. However, parents should know that milk can be a potential threat regarding tooth decay in children. The solution for this problem if the child insists on having the feeding bottle to sleep, is to fill it only with water.
• Immediate brush after sugar consumption:
the more time the sugar is in contact with the teeth, the more damage it makes. Parents should make their children brush their teeth immediately after any sweet food or drink was consumed.
• Brush after every meal: no matter if the food was sweet or salty, the bacterial plaque is formed and that is dangerous for tooth decay in children. Children have to brush their teeth thoroughly, especially after dinner.
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Dr. Tom Bell has a PhD in Medical Anthropology. He has a keen interest in oral health topics and is the founder of dentalrave. He has been an oral health researcher and electric toothbrush enthusiast for over 10 years. Tom works with Awin and others in his research. When not talking about dental hygiene and gadgets, Tom likes spending time outdoors hiking.