No parent wants to hear their child has a cavity. Yet, cavities are one of the most common health issues affecting children.
The good news? There are plenty of simple steps you can take to help prevent cavities before they start.
Start Early for Healthy Habits
It’s never too early to begin caring for your child’s teeth. As soon as that first tooth appears, you can start wiping it down with a soft cloth or a baby toothbrush. This introduces the idea of oral hygiene early and builds the habit by including it in your child’s nightly routine.
For babies and toddlers, you don’t need to use fluoride toothpaste. A washcloth or teething toothbrush with baby toothpaste is sufficient. Once your child reaches age three and can spit out toothpaste, begin using fluoride toothpaste.
Model Good Habits
Kids learn by watching. If they see you brushing and flossing regularly, they’re more likely to do the same. Make oral hygiene a family activity. Brush your teeth together in the morning and before bed. Talk about why it’s important and make it part of your daily routine.
Gift Them a Timer
Even adults significantly overestimate the time they spend brushing, and two minutes can feel like forever to a young child, making it even less likely they are brushing for the correct amount of time. Using a timer can help them stay engaged while counting down the seconds. You can use a simple kitchen timer, set a timer on your phone, or even play a favorite song that lasts about two minutes.
Or go the extra mile with a fun light-up timer or find an app designed specifically for kids that turns brushing into a game.
Consider an Electric Toothbrush
An electric toothbrush can be a great investment. Electric toothbrushes do a better job of removing plaque because they can spin faster and clean more effectively than your child can by hand.
Plus, kids also find electric toothbrushes more fun to use, which can encourage them to brush better!
Give Them Choices
When kids feel like they have some control, it can make them more enthusiastic about their oral hygiene. Allow them to pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste flavor (just make sure it contains fluoride and has the ADA seal). Consider letting them try different types of floss, like string floss, floss picks, floss sticks, or even water flossers, to see what they prefer.
Offer Healthy Snacks
Sugary snacks and starchy foods feed the bacteria in the mouth. Candy, crackers, pretzels, and dried fruit can cling to teeth and let bacteria thrive.
Make healthy snacks readily accessible as the convenient junk foods. Fresh fruits like apple slices, strawberries, cheese, yogurt, nuts, carrots, and celery are all good options. These foods are not only healthier overall, but they also have oral health benefits. Prep and portion them ahead of time and store them in easy-to-reach places.
Choose Water Over Juice and Soda Pop
Sugary drinks are one of the biggest contributors to cavities in children. Juice, soda, and sports drinks all contain high amounts of sugar and acid, which can quickly damage tooth enamel.
Water is the best choice. Encourage your child to drink water throughout the day, especially after meals and snacks. If your child does have juice, dilute it with water and limit it to mealtimes rather than throughout the day. Milk is okay, but make sure it is not given right before bed after brushing because it can linger on the teeth, feeding bacteria throughout the night.
Keep Regular Dental Appointments
Even with the best habits at home, professional dental care is a non-negotiable. Regular checkups and cleanings allow your dentist to catch any problems early and provide treatments that strengthen your child’s teeth.
Most children should see the dentist every six months. If it’s time for your child’s next dental visit, call to schedule right now! And help your child maintain healthy teeth and gums for life.