How does my child avoid cavities?
Good oral hygiene removes bacteria and leftover food particles that combine to create cavities.
For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe plaque from teeth and gums.
Avoid putting your child to bed with a bottle filled with anything other than water.
For more information, visit Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.
For older children, brush their teeth at least twice a day. Also, watch the number of snacks containing sugar that you give your children.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends six-month visits to the pediatric dentist beginning at your child's first birthday. Routine visits will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.
Your pediatric dentist may also recommend protective sealants or home fluoride treatments for your child. Sealants can be applied to your child's molars to prevent decay on hard-to-clean surfaces.
What are sealants?
A sealant is a clear or shaded plastic material that is applied to the chewing surfaces, or grooves, of the back teeth, including premolars and molars. Four out of five cavities in children are found in these areas.
This sealant acts as a barrier to food, plaque, and acid, protecting the decay-prone areas of the teeth. Sealants often help protect teeth from cavities in the grooves of molars for three to five years, depending on patient habits, such as grinding teeth or chewing ice.
When sealants wear down, they often can be reapplied. In some cases, a small preparation on the tooth with a minimal filling and reseal may be recommended.
