How To Protect Kids From Cavities
Tooth decay is of course a common issue that kids face. With Halloween and the holiday season around the corner, children have an especially high risk. But we can help! In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about how we protect children from the onset of tooth decay, keeping little smiles healthy and strong!
The Causes of Tooth Decay
How does a cavity happen? The trouble starts when the outer enamel, which protects the sensitive inner tissues from exposure to bacteria, is weakened and erodes. This could be due to plaque and tartar buildup, a byproduct of bacteria breaking down particles of sugar and starch left on and between the teeth. Poor brushing and flossing could be a factor in buildup, as could the amount of sugar in a child’s diet. Without treatment, the decay will grow in severity and eventually the bacteria can reach the tooth’s nerve center, the pulp, at which point the tooth is infected. More substantial treatment is needed, otherwise the tooth could be lost or require extraction to prevent the spread of infection! Tooth loss in early stages is a major factor in the onset of misalignment and the need for orthodontics in the teen years.
Warning Signs to Recognize
What warning signs should you and your child recognize? You should let us know if your child complains about sensitivity when they eat or drink, or if they have a toothache that lasts for more than a day or two. At this point, the aches could indicate a more advanced decay, so treatment is especially crucial to avoid infection and worsening discomfort. We recommend people bring their little ones in for a routine checkup and cleaning every six months starting at around age two, so we can catch decay in the earliest stages of demineralization, often before your child experiences discomfort!
Preventive Treatments
We can offer preventive treatments to help lower the risk of tooth decay. With a dental cleaning every six months we can remove all plaque and tartar and polish the teeth to limit the ability for buildup to form in between your office visits. In the same appointment, we could also apply fluoride to the teeth in varnish form, which helps strengthen the outer enamel and keep the smile strong and free of tooth decay. The application only takes a few seconds, and kids just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as the material cures.
We also know that children have trouble reaching the rear teeth when they brush and floss, so these molars become at risk for tooth decay. But with dental sealants, we can apply acrylic to the rear teeth in a matter of seconds, and then cure it. Again, children should avoid food and drink for about 30 minutes. These sealants can stay in place for years to come, often as long as ten, and help prevent tooth decay from occurring in the rear teeth, and food and drink particles can no longer become trapped between the molars.
Preventive Actions at Home
We also want you to be aware of helpful actions you can take at home to prevent tooth decay. First, be sure to limit how much sugar is in your child’s diet, offering them healthier alternatives to sugar-rich and starch-heavy snacks like candy, cookies, snack cakes, and chips. Also encourage them to drink more water instead of energy drinks, fruit juices, or sodas.
Make time for them to brush and floss properly, which removes stray food and drink particles before they can lead to plaque and tartar. Kids should brush and they wake up for two minutes and do so again before bed. Kids three and under should use a rice-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, and kids over the age of three can use a pea-sized amount. Make sure the toothbrush is age-appropriate and has soft bristles, not medium or hard. Your little ones also need to floss every evening once they have teeth sitting side-by-aside.
Treatment with Fillings and Crowns
What if a cavity has already formed? Instead of ignoring the issue, waiting for the tooth to fall out, which could allow infection and premature tooth loss to occur, talk to our team. With a filling, we can stop a cavity in only one visit. We also have stainless steel and NuSmile zirconia crowns for severe cases. If you have any questions about helping kids avoid cavities, then contact our team today to learn more.
PDC Kids Helps Kids Avoid Cavities
Our team wants to help kids enjoy good oral health by keeping a cavity at bay. To find out more about treating and preventing cavities, call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880.
filed under: Children's Dental Services