Okay, so maybe “No Cavities in Kids Tewksbury to Texas,” isn’t quite a reality yet. If our staff at Kangaroo Smiles could eliminate all cavities or the probability of them, we would. In loo of our perhaps lofty (albeit genuine) goal to fight cavities from the east to west and everywhere in between, we can offer guidance on how to help prevent them.
If you reside in Tewksbury, Nashua, Lawrence or nearby, here in Lowell, we help empower children and their parents to fight cavities and practice phenomenal oral hygiene. Take a look at a few of our favorite cavity-busting tips.
No Cavities in Kids Tewksbury Starts with you!
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, children should have a dental check-up once every six months. Maintaining routine dental appointments will help parents and children remain accountable and flag any potentially problematic issues – such as cavities.
There is much more, however than a visit to the dentist to help avoid and protect against one of the dental chair’s most common criminals: cavities. Before we get into ways to ward them off, let’s examine how these devious dental problems develop.
Many people assume that lack of brushing and flossing leads to cavities, and although this is part of what causes them, did you know that diet and nutrition can be a bigger culprit?
Every time a child eats he/she is contributing to a cavity-cultivating environment, one that can be exacerbated or improved. This depends upon the amount of sugar or starches consumed and how they interact with bacteria to produce acid. Although saliva naturally acts as a combatant, over time the acid can wear down tooth enamel, allowing a cavity to develop.
Obviously, healthy brushing and flossing is a way to help prevent cavities from forming, but are there other proactive measures that can be taken?
5 Techniques to Prevent Cavities From Having a Fighting Chance:
- Monitor your child’s diet. The introduction of protein, vitamins, and minerals such as those contained in cheese, veggies, and yogurt contain healthy cavity fighters like calcium and phosphorous (that also protect against tooth decay and gum disease).
- Limit snacking. Especially when it comes to sugary items like soda, candy and starch-heavy foods like crackers, potato chips, and pretzels.
- Use fluoride. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 74% of Americans receive fluoridated water from a community water supply. If you live in a community that doesn’t, not to worry. Fluoride can be provided by your dentist in the form of a gel or varnish to the surface of teeth, prescribed as a tablet or can be found in certain mouth washes.
- Help with brushing. It’s recommended that children under the age of 7 receive help brushing their teeth. It’s also advisable to supervise younger children who brush their own teeth to make sure the process is being done thoroughly and correctly.
- Consider sealants. Sealants can act as a protective barrier between food and bacteria and tooth enamel and can prevent food from becoming trapped in between teeth.
At Kangaroo Smiles, Dr. Mona and her team are dedicated to helping you establish successful pediatric dental habits. We understand how important it is to not only explain to children why it’s important to maintain good dental health and avoid cavities but how they can have fun in doing so! That’s one of the reasons why we have monthly contests and prizes. We want your child to celebrate his/her victory in maintaining good dental care.
Call us today at (978) 425-1496 for more information on cavity fighting and maximizing your child’s dental care and dental treatment visits.