Just because young children have new teeth, doesn’t mean their teeth are not susceptible to developing cavities. Just like adults, it is important for children to brush their teeth twice a day and floss their teeth daily as soon as they have two teeth side by side. Tooth decay is not fun and it can make enjoying food more difficult as well as can cause pain. Cavities are the most common dental problem in toddlers and young children. Knowing how to properly care for their teeth will come with time and persistent parental instruction as well as routine trips to see the dentist.

Show your child good oral hygiene habits

Children absorb information from their parents by watching to see what you do. If you want to teach your children good oral hygiene habits, make sure your oral hygiene routine is on point. Let your child watch you brush your teeth twice a day and also floss your teeth daily to remove any cavity causing food stuck between teeth. Or make it more fun by brushing your teeth together and setting a two minute timer so you both get a good brushing. Making dental visits a normal part of life will also help establish a good habit of having a dentist routinely look at your child’s teeth.

Talk with your child

Talk to your child about the importance of letting the bristles of their toothbrush go over the same tooth multiple times before moving on to a new section. Staying by your child while they are brushing their teeth can be helpful while you give commands on which section of their mouth to clean. For example, set a 30 second timer and tell your child to brush their back, left teeth until the timer goes off. Then move on to the bottom right, top right, and so on, resetting the timer for each section.

Show your child how to wash out their mouths and spit out the toothpaste. Fluoride in toothpaste should not be swallowed.

Cause of tooth decay

Cavities are  caused by damaging bacteria that slowly eats away the enamel, leading to a hole that can begin to cause pain if not addressed by a dentist. The bacteria that causes cavities are fed from food debris, especially sugary rich foods, that are never cleaned off. Improperly cleaned teeth develop plaque, a sticky bacteria-filled substance, that coats the teeth. When food and drink stick to the plaque, the bacteria use the sugars to form an acid that is damaging to teeth and leads to tooth decay.

Protect your child’s teeth by teaching them good oral hygiene habits and bringing them to the dentist every six months to have their teeth cleaned and checked out by a kid-friendly dentist. Finding a dentist that can see the whole family can make dental appointments a family event and less intimidating. In St. Augustine, FL, give Dental Remedies a call today.