Did you know that childhood tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic illness? And by the time they enter kindergarten, 40% of kids have tooth decay. This is significant because tooth decay raises the risk of numerous future health issues, such as heart disease and early birth, in addition to the pain and infection, it can bring. Children who have tooth decay are also more likely to skip school and have lower grades. Hence, it is very crucial for every parent to take care of his child’s teeth at the initial stages to avoid tooth decay. It is easy to avoid tooth decay, but unfortunately, many families fail to take the necessary precautions. Here are the most important 6 don’ts of caring for your child’s tooth decay.
- Don’t forget to take fluoride.
When it comes to avoiding tooth decay, fluoride is quite beneficial. Fluorosis can result from consuming too much fluoride, but eliminating it altogether is a mistake. Use fluoride toothpaste as soon as your kid gets teeth. The secret is to use very little. Before the age of 3, a little smear is sufficient. Utilize a pea-sized quantity beginning at age of three.
- Do not avoid brushing.
It can be hectic in the morning as you rush to get everyone out the door, and it makes sense to be so worn out in the evening that the only thing on your mind is putting the kids to bed. But the best way to avoid cavities is by brushing frequently. Every meal should be followed by brushing, but twice a day is OK. Once every day is too often.
- Ensure that you monitor the brushing.
Kids want to be independent, but not when it comes to brushing their teeth. Each tooth must be brushed for the procedure to be super effective. Most children don’t brush their entire mouths when left to their own devices (some of them barely brush any). Therefore, parents should be involved when brushing their children younger than 6 instead of simply handing them the toothbrush and checking their phone or sending them to the bathroom on their own. Until you are sure that they are acting appropriately, do it yourself.
- Don’t give sticky sweets to children.
Sugar is harmful to teeth, particularly when it visibly adhered to teeth. Therefore, the greatest snacks are things like dried fruit, toffee, caramel, gummy bears, and so on. Although they shouldn’t be consumed in excess by children, they should brush right after eating them in the best possible situation.
- Never let children carry milk or juice bottles or sippy cups around.
Kids who routinely drink juice or milk ultimately end up soaking their teeth in sugar, which is bad for their teeth. Even pure juice and unsweetened milk contain sugar (natural milk and juice sugars, not sucrose), which can harm teeth in the same way. Water should be the only liquid that youngsters should carry around.
Don’t put off visiting the dentist long enough or frequently enough.
By the age of one year, children should visit the dentist. Once they get going, they ought to go for a check-up, cleaning, and preventive maintenance like sealants every six months. The best method to identify issues early and stop them before they start is to visit the dentist for routine check-ups, much as children should visit their pediatrician on a regular basis.
CONCLUSION
The most prevalent dental problem in children is tooth decay, which can lead to a variety of issues. Fortunately, there are several common practices you can do to maintain your child’s teeth strength and health, such as routine brushing, flossing, and eating a balanced diet to avoid tooth decay as well as several other dental problems.
A dental clinic in Vijayawada named Sky Dental Care recognizes the complexity of all dental issues and treats them with the utmost care. This is what raised us in the eyes of our patients. Being among the best dental hospitals in Vijayawada, we are therefore well-equipped with a variety of specialties, technologies, and treatments to offer top-notch care to patients of all ages.