Can You Help Your Kids Prevent Cavities? Part One

Posted January 17, 2017

Are you worried about your kids’ smiles? Many school-aged children struggle with cavities, which can require dental fillings or more extensive restorative treatment. Fortunately, there are several surprisingly simple steps you can take to help protect your kids’ smiles from tooth decay and other common oral health problems. That way, you can keep enjoying those silly smiles for years to come!

Are They Brushing and Flossing Daily?

Like adults, your kids should be brushing and flossing daily. If this feels like a struggle, help make it fun, by allowing your kids to choose their own toothbrushes and even toothpastes. (Just make sure they’re choosing items that are approved by the American Dental Association, so you can trust that they will be safe and effective for their smiles.)

You can also use a song or a kitchen timer to help let your kids know how long to brush. Dentists recommend brushing for two full minutes, morning and night, to best clean the teeth in between checkups.

Make Sure to Limit Their Sugar Intake

No amount of dental hygiene is a substitute for a healthy diet or regular dental cleanings, for protecting the smile. In fact, eating too much sugar is one of the leading causes of cavity development in kids and adults alike. So, to help your kids avoid cavities, make sure they’re eating well-balanced diets with limited sugar.

One easy way to help your kids make healthy choices is by keeping nutritious foods within easy reach. For instance, keep a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, where they can easily grab (or ask for, depending on their age) an apple, orange or banana when they’d like a snack.

Even fresh veggies are surprisingly kid-friendly when paired with yummy dips and dressings. Over time, you can begin to phase out many prepackaged sugary foods, by simply introducing more fresh vegetables and fruits to their diet.