How To Help Kids Avoid Tooth Decay

Posted January 23, 2025

We know that kids have a high risk of tooth decay, but we also know that with good oral hygiene habits, their risk can be much lower! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about actions you can take at home and treatments we can offer in-office to fight tooth decay in babies, toddlers, kids, and teens!

The Causes of Cavities

What causes a cavity to form in a child’s tooth? Each tooth is coated in a strong layer of enamel, which protects the sensitive inner structures from exposure to bacteria. Tooth decay forms when the outer enamel is compromised. This could be due to an injury or teeth grinding. The most common cause however is plaque buildup, which forms on the teeth as bacteria consume particles of sugar and reach. Plaque then weakens and erodes the outer enamel, so tooth decay can form. When this happens, kids may begin to experience tooth sensitivity or toothaches that will grow in severity with time. When this happens, be sure you bring them in for an exam and treatment!

Prevention at Home

You and your family can take steps to help protect your children from tooth decay. For example, make sure they start the day by brushing their teeth for two minutes. They should use an age-appropriate toothbrush with soft bristles and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Children three and younger need a rice-sized amount of toothpaste, while kids over the age of three need a pea-sized amount. You can monitor or time them to ensure they take time to brush properly. In the evening, they should do this again, but also floss to remove what a toothbrush alone cannot. You can assist them at a young age with a floss pick, and they can graduate to floss tape or string as their dexterity improves. Also, try to cut back on how much sugar is in their diet, as this is a great way to lower the risk of cavities.

Checkups and Cleanings

We want to see your kids every six months for a checkup starting at around age two. With an exam, we can watch the smile and catch the decay in the earliest stages of demineralization, often before your child experiences a toothache or sensitivity. Our team will also help prevent the onset of cavities with a dental cleaning. The process only takes a few minutes, and involves our team removing all plaque and tartar from the teeth, lowering the risk of cavities, as well as gingivitis, bad breath, and teeth stains. Routine cleanings, combined with daily brushing and flossing, can keep little smiles strong and cavity-free!

Fluoride and Dental Sealants

Our team also offers unique preventive treatments to keep cavities at bay. For example, during each checkup visit our team will apply fluoride to the teeth in a varnish form, which helps strengthen the outer enamel and lower the risk of cavities. Application only takes a few seconds and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as it cures.

Since many kids have trouble reaching their rear teeth when they brush and floss, particles of sugar and starch can remain trapped there to increase the risk of cavities. But with dental sealants, we can apply a special coating to the rear teeth that prevents particles from being caught between teeth. These can stay in place for up to ten years, and prevent cavities from forming. Applying them only takes a short time, and again kids just need to avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes as it cures.

What if a Cavity Forms?

Should we discover a cavity in your child’s smile, we can offer treatment in only one visit! With a dental filling, we apply a metal-free composite resin that is safe for all ages. Placing it only takes a short time, and is done in a single sitting. The filling will blend with the teeth better than a metal restoration, and can stay there for years to come. If you have any questions about how we help prevent cavities, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help your little ones enjoy their best smiles!

Talk to Our Team About Avoiding Cavities in Little Smiles

Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda wants to help kids of all ages in our community avoid the onset of tooth decay with our preventive treatment options. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call our Dallas, TX, team today at 214-321-4880 today.