It’s a common misconception that the reason children get cavities has to do with their inability to brush and floss properly, which isn’t necessarily the case. Cavities alert parents to even bigger problems. Tooth decay is something that spreads and has long lasting negative results. Rotting teeth makes it hard to eat and speak, not to mention causes intense mouth pain, so teaching kids to avoid cavities now will pay you back later.
Cavities may be a sign of chronic illness. According to a Health Centered Dentistry in Anchorage AK, children with lots of cavities might be asthmatic or diabetic. Which is why it’s so important to schedule regular appointments with a family dentist. The trained professional will offer sound advice on how to prevent cavities and care for teeth and gums.
Here are some ways you, as a parent, help your kids keep their teeth healthy and cavity-free.
Limit the amount of sweets kids consume. Choose snacks that are naturally sweet and healthy such as apples or celery sticks with peanut butter. Too much sugar can affect teeth and tooth decay.
- Brush and floss after eating and taking medicine. Get kids into the habit of brushing their teeth regularly early on. Purchase a toothbrush that can time the child as they brush. When the timer goes off, they rinse their mouth and toothbrush and go back to playing. You can even just use a timer or sing a song to make sure they spend enough time with the toothbrush.
- Visit the dentist often, and schedule routine teeth cleanings and oral exams. Take preventative measures to stave off cavities as recommended by a dental professional.
- Have a thin wash of resin applied to back teeth. The sealant prevents bacteria from settling into permanent teeth and those hard-to-reach crevices are where cavities start.
- Teach children the importance of good oral health habits. Be a role model by showing kids how to brush and floss properly. Keep a chart for pre-school age children where kids monitor their progress throughout the week. For each day they brush and floss, give them a star. Let them trade in their filled in sheets for extra computer time or a day at the park.
- When kids are old enough, have them fitted for orthodontia. Straight teeth prevents a myriad of dental health problems including cavities. Kids are busy caring for their braces and give their teeth the extra time and attention their mouths deserve because of the orthodontia.
Cavities cost parents money, and jeopardize a child’s overall dental health. Regular check-ups with a family dentist alert moms and dads of potential problems with their children’s teeth. By following the aforementioned tips, you encourage your kids to take good care of their smiles and keep money in your bank account where it belongs.
Oh, that sure is great to know and teach kids about avoiding cavities especially the costly ones. Reading this reminds me of daughter who’s facing a cavity issue. She’s mostly complaining about how her gums hurt and just bleed out a little. It seems like I’ll have to find an emergency dental office to better take care of her needs.
Thanks for the tips for helping kids avoid cavities! My husband and I are prone to them, but I don’t want my children to be the same. I didn’t know that you could have a seal of resin put on the back teeth. That sounds like a great idea! Do most dentists offer this service?
These are some great tips, and I appreciate your advice to get a toothbrush with a timer so your children brush for long enough. Sometimes just getting my kids to brush for any length of time is a victory, so making sure they do it for long enough can sometimes be a struggle. I think they’d enjoy making a sort of game out of it with timers, so I’ll definitely try and find some for them to use. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks for these great tips on helping kids avoid cavities. I have had a really hard time with my kids going to the dentist, and now they are having trouble with brushing and flossing. I like your tip on visiting the dentist office often. I just know that it is a pain, but really worth it. I will also try your trick of timing them while they brush! Thanks!
I like your tip to limit the amount of sweets that your child consumes, since the sugar can build up and cause cavities. I also think that regular brushing and flossing is important. However, I’ve read that it’s actually better to wait for about an hour before brushing your teeth after meals and to brush a maximum of three times per day to avoid wearing your teeth down. Thanks for the tips!
A great lesson to keep child’s teeth free from cavities. Now a days cavity is very costing and cost of it is increasing day by day. I think your teeth helps them much. I should tell them about your lesson. Many many thanks for your tips.