Cavities are caused by at least four things: bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking, sugary drinks, and poor dental health. To prevent cavities in kids, parents must know why it happens in the first place. Unfortunately, bacteria may enter the mouth in a variety of ways. One of the ways is through the parents. If the parents and kids share a spoon or food, bacteria are more likely to pass to each other.
Number one, make sure not to share utensils and food with the kids. Number two, give kids healthy and nutritious snacks. Number three, avoid sugary foods and drinks. And number four, teach the kids how to brush and floss their teeth.
Breastfed and bottle-fed babies need the same level of care for dental health. For cavity prevention to be successful, parents need to know how to take care of the baby’s teeth from birth. Parents need to wipe the baby’s gums with a clean washcloth. Once the parents see the first tooth come out, they should start cleaning it with a soft brush.
From 12 to 36 months, parents need to brush the babies’ teeth twice a day for two minutes. There is a special toothpaste intended for babies. Use this to clean the teeth and gums. Make it part of the habit to brush after breakfast and dinner, or after big meals.
Is the water at home fluoridated? Children will benefit from drinking fluoridated water. The dentist may want to check first if the water contains natural fluoride. Otherwise, the dentists will advise babies to take fluoride supplements for cavity prevention. Also, parents can apply fluoride varnish to the babies’ teeth to protect them from decay and other problems.
Candies, gummies, and cookies will make babies happy. However, these are bad for their dental health. Even crackers and chips have sugar, too. Avoid giving the kids sugary treats, especially before bedtime. At the very least, parents need to give babies water to wash off the sugar from the mouth. Parents may also clean the babies’ gums and teeth once more if they drink milk before bedtime.
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Babies as young as six months or one year need to see a pediatric dentist. The dentists will advise parents on how to take care of the babies’ teeth and how to prevent future dental problems. Parents should take the babies to the dentists when there are problems and for regular checkups. Learning how to take care of the baby’s teeth should be a priority for parents.
Request an appointment or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 703-391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
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