How to Keep Your Child’s Teeth Cav­i­ty-Free Year Round

With this in mind, it’s vital for parents to take every step possible to prevent cavities. Cavities appear and develop much more quickly in children’s teeth, as their dental structure is softer and more susceptible to decay. So while adult teeth might have a longer grace period to prevent enamel damage from turning into tooth decay, there is a much smaller window for children.

Another reason that children are more likely to suffer from cavities is due to their preference for sweeter foods. Fussy eaters might also gravitate towards refined carbs and ultra processed food, as this is more consistent and reliable. Parents are often more likely to bow to pressure if it helps to minimise stress around meal times.

And finally, children are less likely to brush their teeth sufficiently. Even with help from their parents, it can be difficult to get all tooth surfaces and ensure all traces of bacteria and food debris are removed. This can create the perfect conditions for tooth decay to develop.

How to protect your child’s teeth

It might feel like fighting an uphill battle to get your child to brush their teeth, but good oral health isn’t just about how well your child brushes their teeth every night. Thankfully, there are lots of steps you can take to help minimise the risk of your child developing painful cavities.

Visit the dentist regularly

Your child should visit the dentist every 6 months, even if you can’t see any obvious signs of trouble. Some dental problems can only be spotted by your dentist, and taking early action can help to stop small problems from becoming much larger issues for your child.

A good relationship with their dentist will also help your child to appreciate why they need to take good care of their teeth. It can help to set them up with good dental health habits for life, minimising the risk of developing dental health issues later in life.

Create an oral care routine

The best way to encourage your child to brush their teeth is with a foolproof routine that happens every day, no matter what else is going on. Just like adults, children will find it easier to stick to something once it becomes a routine.

Think about how you can make brushing more fun. This could include fun lighting, music, a story or a silly dance. Create a different routine for the morning and evening to help remind your child that brushing their teeth is important.

Be mindful of snacks

Snacks can be a healthy part of your child’s life, but the choice of snack will have a huge impact on their oral health. Sugary snacks and sweets should be avoided and only offered as an occasional treat. If your child is looking for a snack, think about healthy alternatives such as apple slices, carrot sticks or sliced grapes.

Be wary of dried fruit snacks, as these might seem healthy, but they can get stuck in your child’s teeth. The timing of snacks and sweet treats is also important. Try to avoid allowing your child to graze throughout the day and instead focus on 3 meals per day with no more than two snacks between meals.

Ditch the fizzy drinks

Fizzy drinks are a bad idea for kids for a number of reasons. First, many of them contain caffeine, which should be avoided by children and teens. Second, fizzy drinks (even the diet varieties) are very acidic, and this will attack the tooth enamel. Loss of tooth enamel is a leading cause of tooth decay.

Instead of fizzy drinks, encourage your child to drink plain water, with cordial offered as an occasional treat. The reason for only offering this as an occasional treat is that it will help to avoid your child becoming accustomed to very sweet things.

Supervise brushing

Children should be supervised when brushing their teeth for a number of reasons. You want to make sure they are brushing their teeth correctly and for long enough. They should brush the top and sides of their teeth, and brush at an angle to ensure they get all tooth surfaces.

You should also make sure that the toothpaste is put to work on their teeth and not simply swallowed. Toothpaste contains fluoride, which can lead to stomach problems when consumed in large quantities. To make sure that your child is putting the toothpaste to good use, it’s a good idea to stick with them while they brush their teeth.

Where to get help if you are struggling

If you are struggling with any aspect of encouraging your child to take good care of their teeth, you don’t have to tackle this alone. Book an appointment with our team and we can discuss your concerns and offer expert advice on how to overcome these obstacles. Together, we can help keep your child’s teeth healthy and free from cavities.