The last thing that you want is for your child to end up with a cavity, or any kind of tooth decay really. By a cavity develops you’re already going to be too late however, which is why it is important that you take steps to help them avoid tooth decay and cavities in the first place.
Fortunately that isn’t as difficult as you might think, and you just need to make sure that you cover a few basics.
Always Use Fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that can help to protect teeth and will actively prevent and stop tooth decay from starting. It both strengthens your enamel and helps to prevent the bacteria in your mouth from creating acid.
The two main sources of fluoride that you should ensure your child has are:
- Fluoridated drinking water that can be found in most community water supply in the United States. Not all mineral water has enough fluoride however.
- Fluoride toothpaste of any type that should be used when your child brushes their teeth.
Aside from that you can supplement the amount of fluoride that your child gets via other sources if necessary. Some of the more common options are fluoride mouth rinse, tablets, or gel.
Check on Brushing Habits
Needless to say if you want your child to avoid tooth decay, you need to check that their brushing habits meet the mark. In particular you should check that they:
- Brush at least twice a day and preferably after meals.
- Spend enough time brushing their teeth – which should be about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Use the right technique and cover all the surface areas of their teeth.
Initially you should try to always supervise your child as they brush their teeth and help them out – normally up until they’re about 7 or 8. That way you can pinpoint any issues in their technique early on.
As they start to get older you should teach them how to floss too, and incorporate it into their oral healthcare routine.
Consult a Dentist
Try to start taking your child to regular dental appointments early in their life. If you do the dentist will be able to remove dental plaque during the checkup, and can identify the early signs of tooth decay or other issues.
Aside from that the dentist may be able to apply dental sealants to your child’s molars as they come out. The sealants will help protect those molars and prevent food and bacteria from getting trapped there.
The earlier that you start to take your child for dental appointments, the more it will become a part of their routine. It should be easy enough to find dentists in Bristol that are child-friendly, or some that even specialize in pediatric dentistry.
Conclusion
In addition to the steps listed above, there is one other thing that you should do if you want to keep your child’s teeth in good shape: Pay attention to what they eat and drink. It is best if you make sure that your child doesn’t eat too much sugar, or anything that is excessively sticky or chewy.
Make no mistake the more proactive you are, the better your child’s teeth will be and the fewer problems you’ll face in the future. Although it may be challenging to teach a child good dental habits at first, in the long run it is an investment that is definitely worth its weight in gold.
After all, which parent doesn’t want their child to have a beautiful and dazzling smile of perfect white teeth?
