11 Tips to Protect Kids from Cavities

Good dental health implies good general health and well-being for your child. Cavities are the first chronic infectious disease of children in this country. Severe cavities can be not only extremely painful for your child but will also, because of their chronic nature, disturb eating, sleeping, and concentrating at school. All of these problems become very distressing. Parents should be proactive in keeping cavities away from kids. These following 11 helpful tips would surely help you at the most:

1. Get them early:

Child oral or mouth care should be started very early. The baby’s gums should be rubbed with a clean, moist cloth after the baby finishes feeding. A soft toothbrush suitable for infants should be used as early as six months, when the first tooth appears.

2. Routine:

Develop a daily routine for oral care. Fix timings for brushing teeth: after breakfast and before going to bed. Make these good habits the first thing repeated every day. Repeating the good routine every day will help lay a strong foundation for good oral health throughout one’s life.

3. Choosing the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste:

Use a small-headed toothbrush; ensure it has soft bristles and is recommended for children. Use a smear of fluoridated toothpaste in an amount equivalent to a pea for a child aged 2-6 years. Over the course of a couple of years, gradually increase the amount so that it becomes the pea-sized amount used for older children.

4. Supervise Brushing:

They are just too young to be coordinated enough to brush productively at such an age. Be right there with them when they are brushing until they feel confident doing it alone—which is usually a few years later, at about the ages of 7 or 8.

5. Promote good eating by restriction of sugary snacks and beverages:

Sugar is the major cause of tooth cavities. Try to increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains taken by your child. These encourage overall good health including oral health.

6. Drink Water:

Give the child water instead of juice or soda. The water will not only quench the thirst of the child but also washes food and acids which may result in cavities.

7. Check-ups:

Take your child for regular dental check-ups, starting about his or her first birthday. Early dental visits may catch any developing problems and help your child become comfortable with the dental specialist.

8. Think About Dental Sealants:

Thin, protective coatings applied directly to the chewing surfaces of the molars, dental sealants will help prevent bacteria and bits of food from settling into grooves. Ask your child’s dentist whether sealants might be a good choice.

9. Good Oral Health at School:

Put a toothbrush and some paste in your child’s bag and remind him or her to brush at school after lunch. Pack tooth-friendly raw snacks like cheese, yogurt, or fresh fruit.

10. Set a Good Example

The child mimics his or her parent. Brush and use floss to be the best example to your child. Impress upon them and make it an oral care family project.

11. Make them Aware

Tell them what could lie down the line if they practice bad oral care — like a toothache and possibly even a dental procedure. In that regard, this is information that indeed empowers them to practice better oral care habits.

Conclusion:
These 11 methods will reduce the possibility of your little one getting a cavity in his teeth or hers and set him or her up for success with lifetime good oral health. A bright, healthy smile actually relies on early prevention and consistent oral health practices in little ones.