10 Ways To Prevent Tooth Decay

Here are 10 ways you can help your child develop and prevent tooth decay for your child.

1. Clean Baby Gums

Before your child’s teeth come in, wipe their mouth with a clean gauze pad or wet cloth at least twice a day. Once your child’s teeth start to come in, clean them by using a wet cloth, finger cot or a small, soft-bristled brush and a thin film (less than a pea-sized amount) of fluoride toothpaste.

2. Teach Them How To Brush

Teach your child how to brush when they seem ready to learn. Supervise brushing until age 6 or 7 to make sure your child is doing a thorough job and is not swallowing the toothpaste. By this age, most children have sufficient manual dexterity to do it themselves without supervision.

3. Replace Old Toothbrushes

Replace your child’s toothbrush when the bristles flare, bend, or become frayed. Such bristles on a toothbrush will not remove plaque effectively and may injure gums.

4. Floss Daily

If your child has that are touching, you should floss between them to clean the areas where the toothbrush cannot reach.

5. Use A Cup, Not A Bottle

Start teaching your child to drink out of a cup as soon as they have the coordination to swallow (about 10 months of age). The sooner your child is off the bottle, the less likely it is that your child will have cavities.

6. Drink Water Before Bed

Don’t give your child a bottle or sippy cup filled with a sweet liquid such as, juice, soda pop, milk) when putting them down for naptime or bedtime.  Instead, fill the bottle with plain tap water only. All other liquids should be used at meal-times only.

7. Don’t Dip The Pacifier

Never give your child a pacifier dipped in any sweet liquid, and don’t put your child’s pacifier in your mouth before placing it in your child’s mouth. If you want to moisten or clean it, use tap water.

8. Get Enough Fluoride

Use fluoride to strengthen the tooth enamel against tooth decay. Fluoride is one of the most effective elements for preventing tooth decay and is therefore extremely important. The most effective way for your child to get fluoride’s protection is by drinking plain tap water containing the right amount of the mineral (about one part fluoride per millions part water). If you wonder whether your water supply is adequately fluoridated, ask your city, county or state Health Department. If your water does not have enough fluoride you should consult your child’s physician or dentist about a fluoride supplement. You should also talk to your child’s physician or dentist about fluoride varnish treatments. Avoid giving your child bottled water or water that has been filtered, as neither may contain enough fluoride to keep your child’s teeth healthy.

9. Healthy Diet

Keep your child on a healthy diet to maintain good dental and physical health. A child should eat a balanced diet, free from too many sweets. Provide nutritious snacks that are low in sugar. Help your child develop good eating habits.

10. Visit The Dentist

Help your child develop a positive attitude towards dental care. Your child’s first visit to the dentist should be around one year of age and then once every six months for checkups, or on whatever schedule your child’s dentist recommends.

Need a helping hand with your child’s brushing routine? Lil StarSmilez help teach and encourage little ones! Check them out.