Children Cavities
If your child has a cavity, it’s essential to take certain actions. Cavities are holes that form on the surface of the teeth due to prolonged exposure to sugary food and drink and plaque. Cavities are more prevalent in children with difficulty brushing and flossing, so pay special attention to these areas. It is recommended for children under age 13 to start brushing with fluoride toothpaste and using a pea-sized amount of toothpaste at least twice per day because their primary teeth are more susceptible to cavities.
As a parent, it’s hard to see your child in pain. But unfortunately, cavity-related pain is one of the unfortunate realities of childhood. Dental care is essential for maintaining your child’s oral health; sometimes, that care may even involve fillings and cleanings. When faced with a cavity, there are specific measures you should take to ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible for both you and your child.
Apply a Dental Sealant
When you notice that your children have cavities, it is time for action! One thing you can do for your child at home is to apply a dental sealant (sometimes called “bonding sealant” or “desensitizing agent”) over their sensitive areas. The idea behind this product is you can use it daily or only when necessary. The sealants are artificial silver compounds that react with saliva and coat the teeth in a thin layer of silver. It has been proven to prevent decay by changing the composition of bacteria that cause dental decay. The silver coating inhibits bacteria from attaching to tooth enamel; over time, their numbers decrease, preventing tooth decay.
Dental Visits
When a child has a cavity, the whole cavity can become infected. If your child gets a cavity in an infected area, it can be excruciating for them when you take the filling out. The first step is to visit a dentist as soon as possible so that any cavities can be taken care of before they get any worse. Dental issues can cause a lot of pain and lead to more severe problems in the future, primarily if not dealt with on time. However, by being proactive and getting early treatment, you can help prevent this from happening.
According to the best family dentist in Batavia, ideally, you should bring your child to the dentist at least twice a year or more if needed.
Use Vitamin D
One thing that you can do to reduce tooth decay is to give your child Vitamin D regularly. For your child’s teeth and bones to develop, they need a healthy amount of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus from milk or other dairy products. Vitamin D deficiency I linked to cavities in children and adults alike. So, parents need to make sure their kids get plenty of Vitamin D from sun exposure or by taking supplements if they don’t get outside very often. Nutritionally-fortified milk, cereal, and orange juice are good vitamin D sources.
Cut Out Sugary Foods and Encourage Chew Sugarless Gum
Sugary foods such as candy, fruit juice, soda, and marmalade can lead to tooth decay by leaching minerals away from the enamel. Other foodstuffs will also cause tooth decay, such as chocolate and hard candies. Sugary foods tempt children, and eliminating these from their diet is key to reducing cavities in young children. Chewing gum is an easy way for children to exercise their jaw muscles while reducing bacteria in their mouths. When picking out gum, ensure it doesn’t contain artificial sweeteners and is sugarless.
Fluoride Treatments
Fluoride has been proven to strengthen the teeth, reduce tooth decay and cavities, and may help to prevent tooth decay in people with a certain genetic condition known as osteopetrosis. Getting your children their fluoride treatment is the best way to ensure they don’t suffer from tooth decay or cavities. If possible, encourage your children to drink water that has been treated with a water treatment solution high in fluoride, as this will further help prevent cavities in young children.
Conclusion
Treating cavities as soon as they occur can help minimize tooth decay and gum disease. If you have children and you want them to have healthy teeth for life, then you need to make an effort today to teach them how. Good oral care is vital to your overall health, but bad oral habits are just as detrimental.
