Learn How to Protect your Child’s Tooth As a Caring Parent

Do you know that cavity is one of the chronic childhood diseases that can affect your kid’s overall health too?

Your child may miss his/her school days, leading to poorer academic performance. Not only that, your kid may lose a tooth. It will affect the way adult teeth grow. You may need to run to pediatric dental care in Dubai for a thorough checkup.

Protecting your child’s teeth by following a dental routine may help prevent future dental issues. Also, it will help your kids to learn the daily dental regime.

Here are the X ways to protect your child’s tooth from building cavities. Before that, let’s briefly examine the reason for cavity development in baby teeth.

Why do cavities develop in kids’ teeth? 

Cavities take place due to the buildup of dental plaque. It slowly eats at tooth enamel, causing a hole. Plaque forms when bacteria react with acid, food, and saliva. It happens due to the need for proper brushing and flossing.

Children may only brush their teeth properly once they become at least six years old. Cavities can develop because food particles may be present between the teeth. Being a parent, you need to brush your kids’ teeth, or you can supervise their brushing.

Signs of cavity

• White spots present in the tooth
• Dark spots in the tooth
• Sensitivity due to having cold foods/ sugary drinks
• Mouth swelling
• Lethargy during eating

Ways to protect your child’s tooth

You must protect your child’s dental health to avoid unprecedented dental issues. Here are some ways you can do it-

1. Brush your kid’s teeth regularly

Brushing regularly will minimize the chance of developing plaque, which causes tooth decay and gum disease. Once your child’s tooth sprouts, your child needs to brush their teeth at least once daily for 2 mins. Ensure you follow dental hygiene according to the child’s age. You can follow these tips-

Once your kid’s age is 6-18 months

• Use a soft bristled brush once the tooth is sprouted
• Take a pea-sized toothpaste and brush the teeth gently
• Check the child’s teeth to see if it has any discoloration or spots

Once your kid’s age is 18 months- 5 years

• Use a pea-sized toothpaste to brush your kid’s teeth
• Give your child a lesson about how to brush their teeth in circular motions.
• Replace your child’s toothbrush every two months when you see the bristles are losing shape.

2. Healthy food habits

Sugary drinks, candies, and processed snacks may help grow the mouth’s bacteria. The bacteria reacts with the molecules of carbs and sugars to form the sticky build-up plaque. Consistent plaque buildup may cause tooth decay. It can even cause gum disease.

You need to make your kids learn the type of food they should eat regularly that will not affect the enamel. It’s a protective layer outside of a tooth, preventing tooth decay.

Which foods are good for your kid’s dental health?

• Eggs- It has teeth healthy components like vitamin D, protein, and phosphates
• Sugar-free dairy products- Milk cheese including vitamin D, calcium, and phosphates.
• Celery and carrots- Due to the presence of high fiber, it brushes away plaque.
• Broccoli- It has a combination of minerals and vitamins to benefit your child’s teeth.

Which foods are less healthy for your kid’s dental health?

• Chips, pasta– Starch in these foods will break down into simple sugars. Due to this, the chance of plaque build-up may increase.
• Sodas and other sugary drinks– The combination of sugars and acids can be toxic for your child’s teeth. This acid can erode enamel, leading to plaque build-up.
• Candy and gums– These foods can cause deepest teeth crevices. It may be hard to find out while the sugars start eating the tooth enamel away.

3. Consider fluoride treatment

Your kid’s teeth are prone to cavities at a younger age. The stage of tooth decay occurs when the enamel starts to weaken but hasn’t formed a cavity yet.

A fluoride treatment is considered after the oral exam. It consists of a fluoride gel painted on your child’s teeth. It revitalizes the weakened teeth to become stronger. Also, it can reverse minor tooth decay, followed by preventing cavities.

4. Dental sealants

Your child’s molar teeth could be affected by the accumulation of bacteria. Even if your kid brushes the teeth for 2 minutes a day, the risk of molar tooth decaying is comparatively high than normal teeth. Dentists recommend using sealants to prevent cavities in toddlers. It provides a protective layer that blocks out bacteria and minimizes enamel’s acidity effect.

5. Visit the dentist regularly

Checking your kid’s teeth regularly may help you to detect any spots or teeth discoloration. However, an appointment with a dentist will help you stay informed about your child’s latest oral health. Availing of check-ups may prevent various oral diseases at their earlier stage. The dentists’ expertise will allow them to notice the damage, including tooth decay or spots.

Summing it up

To minimize the probability of having oral issues, you must take the plunge before your child learns how to brush their teeth. It may take some time to help your child understand the importance of good oral health. However, once they grab the perspective and follow the rules of brushing; your hard work will pay for it.