Preventing Cavities in Kids
Establishing a good oral hygiene routine is important in preventing cavities in kids. Early childhood cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of children in the world. The good thing is that cavities in kids are actually decreasing with the help of good oral hygiene practices and established dental visits.
Table of Contents
Why Baby Teeth are Important
Preventing cavities in kids is important for the overall health and development of children. Some baby teeth remain in the mouth until around age 12. Each baby tooth has a specific function in the mouth. It’s important to keep them healthy and strong until they’re ready to visit the tooth fairy.
Keeping the baby teeth strong and preventing cavities in kids is important for:
- Speech Development: The teeth, lips, and tongue in the mouth work together to form words and control the airflow involved in sounds. Missing baby teeth can cause lisps and improper word-formation.
- Nutritional Support: Incisors bite and cut food, canines rip and tear food, and molars crush and grind food. Premature tooth loss can result in kids missing out on eating certain foods.
- Space Maintenance: An important function of baby teeth is saving the space for the adult tooth to grow when ready. Early tooth loss from cavities can block adult teeth from ever erupting.
Common Causes of Cavities in Kids
Poor Oral Hygiene
For a tooth to get a cavity, the bacteria consume a food source and produce acid to start the decay process. As soon as a baby tooth erupts, it can get a cavity. It’s important to start mechanically removing the plaque, bacteria, and food with the toothbrush and floss daily.
Diet
There are currently 56 different names for sugar in ingredient lists on foods. The increased consumption of sugar in foods and beverages is a huge cause of cavities in kids. Common foods that cause cavities are desserts, candies, fruit snacks, gummy vitamins, crackers, and chips. Check out our Dental Nutrition Guide for more tips.
Delayed Dental Visits
It is important to start taking your child to the dentist after the first tooth erupts before age 1. Postponing dental visits can let emerging dental problems go unnoticed. Baby teeth are more fragile because they have a thinner enamel layer. They can also grow in compromised and be more susceptible to cavities.
External Factors
Several other factors can play a role in cavities in kids. Several pediatric medications have sugar in them to improve the taste but also increase the cavity risk. Mouth breathing in children decreases saliva flow and increases bacteria activity. Also, orthodontic appliances and retainers among children create food traps and are hard to clean.
What To Do if Your Kid Has Cavities
According to the CDC, 1 in 5 children in the United States has at least one untreated cavity. If your child has a cavity, there are several steps that need to be taken.
- Call your dentist to schedule an appointment – children should see the dentist every 6 months for routine cleanings and x-rays.
- Keep the area clean and establish a strong home care routine. Assist your child in brushing 2 times a day for 2 minutes with a mineralizing toothpaste and flossing daily.
- Identify and remove any cavity-causing factors in your child’s routine.
Your child’s dental team will create a treatment plan based on your child’s age, behavior at the dentist, and the severity and amount of cavities in their mouth.
Tips to Prevent Cavities in Kids
There are several easy changes to your child’s routine to decrease the rate of cavities in kids. Ways to prevent future cavities are:
- Place sugary drinks like juice at milk at mealtimes. Encourage water drinking in between meals throughout the day.
- Minimize snacking and encourage sitting down for meals. This decreases feeding bacteria and minimizes the time involved in the exposure.
- Never put your child to bed with a drink that’s not water. Milk and juice will break down into sugar and pool around the teeth causing cavities.
- Avoid gummy vitamins. They are very sticky and full of sugar making them just like candy.
For more ways to improve your child’s oral health, read our Children’s Dental Health Guide article.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you treat a cavity in a child?
Treating a cavity in a child is similar to restoring a cavity in an adult. This can make it quite tricky for your dental professionals due to their age and behavior at the dentist. There are several forms of safe sedation that can be used. Talk to your dentist today with any concerns.
What happens if cavities are left untreated in kids?
Like any cavity in a tooth, left untreated the decay will continue to the nerve and cause an infection in the body. Even though baby teeth aren’t permanent, they still need to be treated if a cavity is present. Infections can enter the bloodstream and become fatal.
How common are cavities in 5 year olds?
By age 5, 60% of children in the United States will have had at least one cavity. Being one of the most common childhood diseases, it is important to establish good oral hygiene and see your dentist before age 1.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit the Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and fun printables that can help encourage oral hygiene with your children and pediatric patients! All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
