toddler tooth decayWhen it comes to tooth decay, teens and adults aren’t the only ones who need to be wary. More than 40% of children under the age of 12 develop cavities or some other form of dental complication. The best way to avoid tooth decay in children and teens is to start with a good oral hygiene routine.  Avoiding the common causes of cavities and tooth decay may reduce your child’s chances of developing cavities as he grows.  Our list of no-nos include:

1.  Sugary Foods
Keeping children from a high-sugar diet will help them in many ways (and help you, when trying to get them to bed). The ways children consume sugar also play a part in decay prevention. Straws help limit the time sugary drinks spend in their mouths. Teaching kids to swallow immediately (no matter how delicious) and not swirl around their grape juice or Sprite will help keep the sugars from attaching to teeth.

2. Not Brushing Teeth Regularly
Nothing new here. At least twice a day, preferably after meals and right before bedtime, children (or their parents doing it for or with them) should brush their teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Most of the same rules apply for children as they do for adults when it comes to brushing, including not brushing so hard the tooth enamel is abraded. Be sure your child knows better than to swallow the toothpaste (no matter which delicious flavor you may use to make it easier).

3. Lack of Flossing
Like their adult counterparts, children aren’t going to want to do this, so you need to supervise them: showing them how it’s done — either the better old-school way with a floss dispenser, or using “cheater” floss picks, daily.

4. Acidic Food and Drink
Acids damage teeth like sugars; so while orange juice is good for the body, it’s not great for teeth. When consuming food and beverages high on the pH scale, use the same practices you do with sugar. Get in there with the toothbrush and wash it away, ASAP.

5. Beware of “Baby Bottle Tooth Decay”
This is what happens when a sippy cup is left nearby when sleeping. Milk and juice left with the child in bed lead to sugars and acids attaching to teeth for hours while sleeping. Water is the safest “teeth friendly” liquid to give children at night.

6. Missing Dental Visits
A cleaning and overall review of dental hygiene every six months is critical for children, who need to be taught by professionals how important oral hygiene is to have great teeth all their lives. A skilled pediatric dental team will make a great impression on your child and praise and positively reinforce each cavity-free visit.

Extra Credit:
Preventative dental care at Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Virginia includes the option of dental sealants, which effectively guard against decay on the chewing surfaces of children’s teeth. Sealing each tooth takes only a few minutes and sealants are a more affordable, less invasive way to prevent cavities than treating irreversible decay.

Please contact us at Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics of Virginia at 804-739-0963 or request a pediatric appointment online. At our two convenient locations in Midlothian VA and in Colonial Heights VA, our experienced pediatric dental team knows how to have a lot of in-office fun! Thank you for trusting us to care for the health of your child’s smile.