As a parent, it can be tough to learn that your child has a cavity — or, worse, multiple cavities. But the truth is, cavities are common for kids. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children (and adults, too). In fact, research shows that 23% of children ages 2 to 5 years old have had dental cavities in their primary teeth.
Fortunately, brushing, flossing and seeing the dentist regularly can help prevent cavities and brighten your child’s smile. By teaching your kids good oral hygiene habits from an early age, you’re establishing a foundation that will help them throughout their lives. Read on for six actions that can help prevent cavities.
- Start early. Just a few days after your child is born, you should start wiping their gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or a cloth, according to the American Dental Association. Then, as soon as teeth start to come in, brush them twice per day with a child-sized toothbrush and a tiny bit of toothpaste with fluoride, about the size of a grain of rice. When they turn 3, you can increase the amount to a pea-sized squeeze.
- Be aware of nursing caries, or “baby bottle tooth decay.” This can happen when a child is given a bottle for a long period of time, and their teeth are exposed to drinks that contain sugar, including milk; it can also occur if a baby falls asleep while nursing. To prevent this kind of damage, there are a couple of actions you can take, according to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. When breastfeeding, remove your breast from the baby’s mouth if they fall asleep. Avoid giving a child under 1 year old sugary drinks or juice. And if you give your child a bottle to sleep with at night, fill it with water, not milk.
- Make an appointment with a dentist. Every child should have their first dentist appointment by their first birthday, or within six months of getting their first tooth, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. At that appointment, ask your dentist about how frequently your child should return for checkups.
- Don’t forget to floss. It’s just as important as brushing, because dental floss removes plaque from areas a brush can’t reach. This habit should begin as soon as your child has adjacent teeth, which is usually around 2 or 3 years old. Aim to floss their teeth once a day, until they’re able to do it themselves.
- Make it fun. Think of the ways you can get your child excited about their oral health. That could mean reading books about brushing, playing a favorite song as they brush, letting them choose their toothbrush and toothpaste, creating a sticker chart or any number of perks that keep them motivated.
- Let them take over when they’re ready. When your child reaches an age where they can spit the toothpaste out (usually after age 6 or 7) and manage their own flossing (usually around 10 or 11), allow them to take charge. Supervise them until you’re comfortable they’ve got it all down. And, of course, set a good example for them so they know how important daily brushing and flossing are to you, too.
Good dental health doesn’t just improve your child’s teeth, it also helps support their overall health. Plus, when they have a mouth they’re proud of, it helps build confidence now and throughout their life. Isn’t that something to smile about?
