Cavities

Cavities can develop when sugar from food mixes with bacteria on the teeth. Bacteria eat away at tooth enamel, causing a small hole. Cavities can develop on either primary or permanent teeth and require a filling to preserve the tooth.

Risk of Cavities in Children

Children cannot always care properly for their oral hygiene, which is why it is important to continue supervising their toothbrushing and flossing into early elementary school. You should brush your child’s teeth yourself until at least preschool age and then use the hand-over-hand method to demonstrate how they can do it themselves. Both children and adults brush their teeth for at least two minutes each time.

Below are some other factors that contribute to cavities in children.

Consuming a diet high in starch and sugar

Carbohydrates and sugar break down into acids that erode the outer layer of your child’s teeth and cause cavities. Be sure to offer your child healthy meals and snacks and teach them how to make good food choices away from home.

Not using fluoride regularly

Children who don’t get enough fluoride from drinking water, toothpaste, or mouthwash are more susceptible to tooth decay. The dentists at Smiling Faces Pediatric Dentistry recommend choosing oral health products with added fluoride for maximum protection against cavities.

Orthodontic issues

Permanent teeth may grow crooked or overlap with each other as they start to come in, making it more challenging for your child to keep their teeth clean. Even children with good oral hygiene habits may develop cavities due to tooth structure. Keep in mind that your child can have an orthodontic consultation as early as age seven.

Schedule Dental Checkups Twice a Year

From the time your child has teeth, it is important to keep up with regular dental checkups and cleanings to avoid cavities in Oklahoma City, OK. Please contact us for an appointment if your child hasn’t had a checkup in more than six months.