According to your Web MD, quite a few things can cause tooth decay, and if you want your kids to grow up with less fillings than you did, pay close attention to the list below.
If your children have had lots of cavities in the past, chances are, they will have them in the future. Make sure that your kids practice good oral hygiene, and if you are unsure, schedule an appointment with your dentist who may be able to improve the way your kids brush and floss.
Every mouth is loaded with bacteria. Combine that with food it is like smearing acid on the tooth or teeth. Eventually acid will eat away at the enamel causing tooth decay. Keep your kids away from sugar and sticky dried fruits and make sure they rinse after eating.
These days it seems like sugar is added to everything, even so called healthy fruit juices. When you shop for groceries read the labels and try to stay away from starchy foods such as white bread that are loaded with sugar.
If your teenager has had fillings in the past, make sure that your dentist checks all old dental restorations. Poor quality fillings can leak causing plaque to form in the cracks and crevices.
Fruit is good for kids, but try to include citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits as part of a meal. If your children do eat citrus fruits make sure that they rinse after eating.
If your kids drink bottled water, they are not getting the fluoride that they need. Ask your dentist to recommend a good fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinse as bottled water does not contain fluoride.
Nursing your baby too long will put your kids at risk. Recent research has indicated that prolonged breast and bottle-feeding could put children in the high-risk category when it comes to cavities.
Cavities under existing fillings can be a problem at any age, and if your teens have dental restorations, make sure that your dentist checks for fractures and breakages.
If your kids have braces, their risk of cavities is much greater. Metal mouth appliances make it difficult to brush and almost impossible to floss. Ask your dentist about floss threaders, which help the floss, get under the wires.
For more information on oral hygiene and tooth decay, schedule an appointment with your kid’s dentist today.
