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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Why Does My Child Keep Getting Cavities?

All children can be at risk for cavities, and many things can contribute to it. Thus, the CDC estimates that tooth decay, also known as Dental Caries, is one of the most frequent chronic diseases experienced by children.

A child should have dental check-ups every six months because a dentist can give the child preventive care, assess caries risk, and look at teeth and the rest of the child’s mouth. If your child has a cavity, you are not alone, and over one-quarter of children have at least one cavity by the age of 4.

What Can I Do To Prevent My Child From Getting Cavities?

Many variables can cause caries in kids, including tooth topography and location, diet, types of bacteria, and salivary composition. First, consider how often your child snacks during the day. Every time they eat or sip anything other than water (milk, juice, sports drinks), food particles or a sticky residue remain on the child’s teeth.

We all know that snacks such as crackers or goldfish do not contain sugar, but their carbohydrates remain in their mouth and turn into simple sugars. Bacteria then feed on these sugars and produce acid, hence causing cavities. This is how it is (even if we manage to reduce our children’s sugar consumption) ‘normal’ food and beverages can lead to cavities. Another discovered that increased usage of snacks between hours likely leads to increased cavities.

How Are Cavities In Kids Managed?

A dental filling is usual for toddlers and children with one or more tooth decay. Transparent fillings can be done on either permanent teeth or baby teeth. In the work done here, the dentist removes the decay and then uses white filling material or metal to fill the hole. Capping is also used to restore a tooth that forms a cavity in baby teeth so that it can be saved.

It is likely advantageous to save a tooth because, typically, if one loses their baby teeth before the adult teeth are ready, space, summoning adult teeth, would be adversely affected. Baby teeth also help your child chew their food and speak correctly. Dentists perform fillings on kids and toddlers, including those too young to be one or even two years old.

If the teeth are badly decayed, the dentist may advise you to have a crown generally made of silver.

At other times, if the tooth is severely diseased or infected, you may need to have this baby tooth pulled out. If your dentist pulls out the tooth, then as you grow up, your permanent teeth will be able to grow in the right places using a space maintainer.

Of course, it can be complicated to get young children to sit for a dental procedure. Some dentists will administer nitrous oxide or laughing gas to calm children during the procedure.

They still have to inject the numbing agents into gums, but laughing gas generally makes this very convenient. A dentist can also give your child an oral sedation before the procedure.

Your dentist may suggest splitting the sessions if your child has several cavities. The advantage of making several trips is that it becomes almost soothing to the child, as he or she does not have to sit in the dental chair for many hours.

Your dentist may suggest your child be put to sleep for the dental procedures. This is called general anesthesia and is often done for young children, those with many cavities, and children who can’t sit still.

How Do You Protect Kids’ Teeth From Getting Cavities?

Genetics is also crucial; however, instilling good nourishment habits is the most effective method of avoiding cavities in your child.

  • You must admit that it is rather uncomfortable when you feel you must supervise their attempts; however, you must supervise your child’s brushing and flossing of teeth. Ensure that they understand how to do it right and that it takes them a specific amount of time.
  • They should also note that they should brush their teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. However, the first and better order is to floss and then brush. They also want you to ensure that you book dental appointments at least once every six months.
  • Infant oral care cannot be ignored by parents or dentists! Remember, whether your baby is drooling or not, spitting up or not and whether they have teeth or not, their mouth has germs.
  • Allowing your baby’s gums to remain wet after every feeding is helpful after the first month of life. Clean gently with a soft, damp cloth, and later, start toothbrushing twice daily using a small amount of fluoride toothpaste for kids.

If your child is a little picky eater, especially when it comes to sweets, there is always an option of availing healthier foods that are sweet to taste but will not harm their gums or teeth.

Alternatives include:

  • Low-glycemic fruits include blackberries, blueberries, and
  • raspberries.
  • trail mix with nuts
  • yogurt
  • frozen bananas
  • cheese sticks
  • unsweetened applesauce
  • preserved fruits without any form of sweetener included
  • carrots and dip

Conclusion

Those holes in our teeth are not exclusive to adults and can occur in children and even toddlers. Therefore, it is helpful to know early signs of a cavity, and when this has been observed, it is right to consult the dentist to take care of your child.

The fillings will stop tooth decay from progressing; thus, the child’s tooth can be saved. By consuming less sugar and practicing good dental hygiene, you can help guard your child’s teeth so they will not need fillings. Contact Beaumont Dentist TX for more information.