How to Prevent Childhood Cavities

As a dentist in Dearborn, it’s very important to us that good oral hygiene begins young. One of the biggest misconceptions is that decay and cavities in baby teeth “don't matter.” The reason being these teeth fall out anyway. This isn't true, and there are several reasons why baby teeth remain free of decay. These include:

1. Healthy baby teeth protect your child against unnecessary dental discomfort. Having tooth decay can be painful, and it can also mean that your child has to visit the dentist to have it fixed, which in itself can be unpleasant. The last thing we want to see is children having to have their baby teeth removed early because of decay.

2. Baby teeth are essential in guiding the growth of underlying adult teeth. If the baby teeth need to be removed for any reason, such as decay, this can have long term effects for the growth of your child's permanent adult teeth.

3. Baby teeth allow for the development of proper speech, eating and social skills. As a society, we place very high importance on having good dental hygiene. Children should practice good dental hygiene in their early years so that they take these skills into adulthood.

As a parent or caregiver, you must make sure that your child receives good quality health care and understands the importance of developing good hygiene habits in their early years. If you need support, visit a children’s dentist near you who can help guide you. In the meantime, below are some suggestions from us to help keep your kids brushing.

1. Make Brushing Fun

It can be challenging to get children to brush their teeth. One of the best things that we can suggest here is to make brushing fun. Some of the things that you can try include:

• Flavoured floss

• An electric toothbrush

• A toothbrush with their favorite cartoon character

• Playing music

• Brushing your teeth together

• Sticker chart

There's lots of fun ways to make brushing teeth something that your kids will enjoy.

An electric toothbrush can be an option as it mostly does the brushing for the child. Some of them also have built-in time to track how long your child's been brushing.

2. Use Fluoride

Fluoride is a tooth’s best friend. It's a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and guards against decay. It's perfectly safe to add to your child's daily brushing routine. Fluoride can be obtained by drinking fluoridated tap water. Another option is professional fluoride treatments; most dental offices in Dearborn can help with this.

3. Role Model Healthy Habits

Children learn from adults around them. You have the opportunity to teach and encourage your child to develop good oral hygiene habits. This includes regular and daily brushing, regular visits to a dentist near you and having a well-balanced diet. As your child gets older, you can start to teach them why certain foods should be limited. Plaque loves sugar, and a buildup of plaque leads to decay. The less sugar your child has, the lower their chances of developing tooth decay.

4. Visit a Children’s Dentist Near You Every 6 Months

It's vital to make your child comfortable with visiting a dentist. We encourage children to go for regular check-ups every 6 months. It’s a good opportunity for us to check your child's teeth and implement preventative care to avoid future problems.

Your child's first dental visit should be after they develop their first tooth or around their first birthday, and then after that every 6 months.

Looking for a dental clinic in Dearborn?

We would love to meet you and your family, make an appointment today.