Learn what causes cavities in children, how to strengthen current teeth, how to re-mineralize small cavities, and how to prevent new cavities.
Children love sweets, and often aren’t big fans of brushing their teeth. Combine that with cupcakes at pre-school 18 times during the year (once for each child’s birthday), Halloween, Christmas, Easter, birthday parties and grandparents that love the satisfaction of giving them a sweet treat, and parents have their work cut out for them.
There are some basic steps that aren’t too hard to carry out to help keep your child’s smile healthy and cavity free:
- Regular check ups are a must, every 6 months. Why not schedule their next appointment each time they are in?
- Dental sealants can work very well. Basically, a thin layer of plastic is ‘painted’ on the top surface of the molars to prevent cavities.
- Then there is the trinity of brush, floss, and fluoride. There are some fun fluoride rinses on the market now that the children can squeeze to auto-measure the right amount. Fluoride tablets usually are a hit, too. Brushing they will probably need help with until age 9 or so, so keep at it! Consider also the little children’s flossers in various fun plastic shapes that enable kids to do some of the flossing work themselves!
- As a ‘white spot’ is starting, it may or may not turn into a cavity. This area of tooth enamel can be re-mineralized by saliva or fluoride.
- Diet of course plays an important role. Not only what is eaten, but when. Try to keep the sweeter treats for later in the day, therefore closer to bedtime when the teeth will be cleaned.
- Drinking water or eating cheese after a sugary snack can minimize their affect on the teeth.
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If you are concerned about cavities in your children’s teeth, contact our Kitsilano Dentist office!
