How to Prevent Childhood Cavities and Tooth Decay
Celebrate Children’s Dental Health Month this February
Start Promoting Good Habits to Your Kids!
February is a special month in the world of dentistry as it is the host for a few different dental observances. With February 9th being National Toothache Day and Tooth Fairy Day on February 28th, this month as a whole is known as Gum Disease Awareness and Children’s Dental Health months.
While there are many topics to choose from, all of these dental themes can greatly affect children. In the past, we have outlined some of the reasons why children’s oral hygiene is so valuable. However, we still think that there is a great need to re-iterate its importance. In honor of one of the month’s many themes, Alexandria Smiles wants to take a closer look at the dental health of Children, along with the importance of keeping their mouths clean.
Read our Sept. 2020 Back to School bog post HERE.
A Timeline for Tooth-Brushing
The key to ensuring good dental hygiene is to give kids the proper tools and knowledge on how to correctly brush their teeth. According to the CDC, cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases for children in the United States — around 1 in 5 children ages 5 to 11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth, and 1 in 7 adolescents aged 12-19. Tooth decay causes dental problems that can last a lifetime. Sadly, children with poor oral health also tend to miss more school and receive lower grades than those with healthy teeth.
To avoid these issues and many more caused by poor oral health, learn and start practicing the necessities of dental hygiene for each step of the way in your child’s growth.
Babies: Just because infants do not have teeth, does not mean prevention methods are not necessary! In fact, prevention begins before your baby’s first tooth.
From the moment they are born bacteria is growing in their mouth and it is important to wipe this away. Use a clean, soft washcloth and wipe baby’s gums 1-2 times daily—in particular in the morning after their first feeding and before bed. Doing this rids their mouths of any lingering bacteria and sugars that can cause cavities.
Babies/Toddlers: Once their first tooth has appeared, the time to brush has begun! Start by brushing tooth/teeth twice a day with a soft, small-bristled toothbrush and plain water. It is important to visit the dentist by your baby’s first birthday and check for signs of any problems early. During this time, you can talk to the dentist about putting fluoride varnish on your child’s teeth.
Children: If your child is under the age of 6, it is important to watch their brushing habits. Make sure they use only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and always spit it out rather than swallow. Children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste as well as drink tap water that contains fluoride.
To see if your community’s water is fluoridated, you can call your water utility company and request a copy of the most recent ‘consumer confidence report’ OR you can visit the CDC’s ‘My Water’s Fluoride’ website.
Adolescents and Beyond: Tweens and Teens can at times be difficult when it comes to healthy oral habits. Basic dental care habits such as brushing teeth twice daily, flossing regularly, and maintaining routine visits to the dentist are just as important, no matter their age. One thing to look out for as children become adolescents is their dietary habits. Consuming excess junk foods, candies, fruit juices, sodas, and energy beverages increases the likelihood of impaired dental health.
Taking care of teeth begins right away. Even if your child’s habits seem great, cavities can still greatly affect their life. If tooth decay continues to be a problem throughout childhood, it might be time to consider the use of dental sealants.
Read our Oct. 2018 Baby Teeth Blog HERE.
Dental Sealants Seal the Deal
Dental sealants are thin coatings, often covered by insurance, that help to prevent cavities. This non-invasive procedure shields chewing surfaces on molars by covering them with a protective coating that stops germs and food from becoming trapped and encouraging tooth decay.
As Sealants are only placed on adult molars, this procedure is typically done for children between the ages of 5 and 14. Dental Sealants are key to helping prevent childhood tooth decay as toothbrushes alone cannot clean the deep pits and grooves that often harbor cavity-causing bacteria. This simple tool can help reduce the risk of cavities by 80%.
As you can see from this step-by-step guide, applying dental sealants is quick, painless, and easy. Taking less than 10 minutes to complete, the end result is barely visible and unable to be felt by your child.
To learn more about dental sealants, click HERE.
Making Dental Hygiene FUN!
Sometimes, the easiest way to encourage good dental habits is by getting creative! Making oral health fun is a great way to ensure your child follows through with proper techniques and routines. Some examples can include getting your child a special toothbrush, rewarding consistent tooth brushing, making dentist visits a special occasion, turn brushing and flossing into a family affair, and—as February 28th reminds us—call in some help from the Tooth Fairy.
Taking care of your child’s teeth doesn’t have to be difficult. The best way to start is by scheduling an appointment with us at Alexandria Smiles. Begin preparing for your child’s dental future, today!
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