Such a Thing As Cavity Free?
Aug 06, 2020 ● By ABC Pediatric Dentistry
By: ABC Pediatric Dentistry
Keeping your child cavity-free is simple, but not easy. The hard part is making the consistent effort to establish healthy snacking and brushing habits. Here are some simple things you can do to try to help keep those “sugar bugs” away and your child’s smile beautiful, healthy, and pain-free.
~ Begin brushing your child’s teeth at least twice a day for them as soon as they have their first tooth. Brushing at bedtime - after the last thing they have to eat or drink (besides water) - is especially important.
~Children do not have the manual dexterity to independently brush well until they are able to tie their shoes on their own, so help your child thoroughly brush until around age six at least. They can “take a turn” brushing with a parent to make sure all the teeth get brushed well every time.
~To help make the enamel stronger and more resistant to cavities, use a fluoride toothpaste daily. Your child’s dentist can explain the appropriate amount to use and age to start.
~Between meals and snack times, offer water for thirst instead of juice, pop, chocolate milk, or other sweet liquids which can have harmful effects on the enamel.
~Offer healthy (for teeth and body) snacks such as veggies, fruits, nuts, and cheese between meals.
~Minimize sticky or sugary treats such as fruit snacks, cookies, and candy for snacks. Save this type of goodie for special occasions only.
~Floss. Most dentists recommend that children floss at least once per day for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
~Around the time of your child’s first birthday, take your child to a pediatric dentist or a family dentist who is comfortable seeing young children. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Doing some simple preventative habits can help keep your child’s mouth healthy and cavity-free for a lifetime!
Keeping your child cavity-free is simple, but not easy. The hard part is making the consistent effort to establish healthy snacking and brushing habits. Here are some simple things you can do to try to help keep those “sugar bugs” away and your child’s smile beautiful, healthy, and pain-free.
~ Begin brushing your child’s teeth at least twice a day for them as soon as they have their first tooth. Brushing at bedtime - after the last thing they have to eat or drink (besides water) - is especially important.
~Children do not have the manual dexterity to independently brush well until they are able to tie their shoes on their own, so help your child thoroughly brush until around age six at least. They can “take a turn” brushing with a parent to make sure all the teeth get brushed well every time.
~To help make the enamel stronger and more resistant to cavities, use a fluoride toothpaste daily. Your child’s dentist can explain the appropriate amount to use and age to start.
~Between meals and snack times, offer water for thirst instead of juice, pop, chocolate milk, or other sweet liquids which can have harmful effects on the enamel.
~Offer healthy (for teeth and body) snacks such as veggies, fruits, nuts, and cheese between meals.
~Minimize sticky or sugary treats such as fruit snacks, cookies, and candy for snacks. Save this type of goodie for special occasions only.
~Floss. Most dentists recommend that children floss at least once per day for at least 2 to 3 minutes.
~Around the time of your child’s first birthday, take your child to a pediatric dentist or a family dentist who is comfortable seeing young children. As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!” Doing some simple preventative habits can help keep your child’s mouth healthy and cavity-free for a lifetime!