Cavity Prevention

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing.

Good Oral Hygiene removes bacteria and left over food debris that can combine to create cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or washcloth to wipe the plaque from their gums.  Once your child’s teeth erupt, brush them at least twice a day. Less than a pea size amount of fluoride toothpaste can be used once the patient is around two years of age.  When teaching your child to brush, place the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle along the gumline and brush in a circular motion.  Flossing should begin once the teeth are touching.

Healthy Eating habits can lead to healthy teeth.  Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food, the longer the residue stays on their teeth and the greater the chances of getting cavities.  Limit the frequency of meals and snacks; make treats part of the meals and avoid chewy, sticky foods.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digests the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person’s saliva also makes a difference as thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn produces more of the acid-producing bacteria that causes cavities.

Avoid Putting Your Child To Bed With A Bottle filled with anything other than water. This helps to prevent a serious form of decay among children know as early childhood caries (ECC),  This condition is caused by frequent and longer exposures of an infant’s teeth to sugary liquids.  Among these liquids are milk (including breast milk), formula, fruit juice and other sweetened beverages.

Visits Every Six Months to the dentist will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.