How to Prevent Tooth Decay In Children

Tooth brushing should be a nightly event.

Tooth decay in children is preventable. Even if your child already has signs of some tooth decay, you may actually be able to reverse it through nutrition, according to clinical research by Drs. Edward and Edward Mellanby and Weston A. Price, D.D.S. Even so, prevention is better than cure, and the best time to prevent tooth decay in your child begins when she get her first tooth.

Things You'll Need

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Dental wipes

Instructions

1. Make sweets and sugars an occasional treat in your house. Giving your child too many sweets or sugary foods leads to quicker tooth decay.

2. Limit the number of snacks and meals that you serve your child to to six a day. Don't let your child graze all day long on food. Doing so actually will harm your child's teeth as the food will sit on the teeth all day long and cause the teeth to decay.

3. Give your child plenty of water to drink. Water increases saliva production in the mouth which helps to wash away the sugars left on the teeth after eating. Water with fluoride in it will also help to protect your child's teeth from acid production. Water is strongly preferable to soda or even juice, both of which essentially rinse the teeth in a sugary solution.

4. When you eat out with your child or are on the go, use dental wipes on your child's teeth. They will help to prevent plaque formation on the teeth, which causes tooth decay. Dental wipes are available at local drugstores, usually placed alongside the toothpaste.

5. Take your child to the dentist on a regular basis. After your child's first several teeth have sprouted, start your child going to the dentist on a regular basis.

6. Ask your dentist about a fluoride sealant for your child's teeth if you live in area without fluoridated water or if your child's teeth are prone to cavities. The sealant can help to protect your child's teeth for months and will prevent tooth decay and cavities.

7. Make sure that your child is brushing his teeth every night before bedtime. This is the best time to brush the teeth as you are removing all the food and sugars on the teeth from the day. Most kids who are 5 and under never do a good enough job on brushing their teeth, so make sure that you are checking their work and brushing their teeth for them if needed.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child has a lot of cavities on his baby teeth, it may cause damage to his permanent teeth through infection of the nearby gum area.

References

• WebMD: Preventing Tooth Decay in Children
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Children's Oral Health
• KidsHealth: Keeping Your Child's Teeth Healthy
• Whole Health Source: Reversing Tooth Decay