Dental cavities are a serious issue affecting many of our children today. However, there are preventive measures parents can start early on to prevent these dental issues from occurring while still making sure their children enjoy the benefits of a healthy mouth and smile. Maybe a pediatric dentist in Bismarck, ND, can help you address issues with your child’s dental health and create a dental care routine for your child.
One important way to prevent cavities is by making sure that children are properly supervised when eating and drinking. Making sure children are eating the proper foods and drinking enough water not only helps in preventing cavities, but also provides them with additional daily nutrition. Taking an active role in their dental care will also help keep their development on track and teach them important life lessons like responsibility and managing time.
Here are some tips that will help you prevent cavities in your children.
- Create a tooth-brushing routine
The key to preventing cavities is making sure that your child brushes his or her teeth consistently. This includes getting rid of any remaining food particles and plaque build-up on the teeth after eating. Help your child create a routine to ensure they are brushing their teeth regularly.
- Supervise brushing and promote healthy brushing
Having your child brush their teeth with you and supervising the process is one of the best ways to ensure that your child does a thorough job of cleaning their teeth. Make sure to praise them for brushing correctly and keeping their teeth healthy.
- Highlight the importance of flossing
Flossing is an important part of dental care that many children and adults overlook. However, it is a critical step in preventing cavities by taking off food particles and plaque buildup between the teeth that your child may not be able to reach with their toothbrush.
- Avoid certain food items
Certain food items, especially sugary foods, can cause cavities in children. Limiting the use of this type of food is extremely important to help prevent cavities. If you have a picky eater, try to help him or her identify foods that they enjoy and replace the sugary foods with healthy alternatives, like fruit and vegetables.
- Encourage water intake
Because children do not always drink enough water, it is important to make sure that your child drinks at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. This will help in keeping their mouth clean and reduce the risk of cavities.
