A New Smile Was the Best Investment of My Life

5 Tips For Helping Your Child Avoid Cavities

7 December 2016

Oscar Allen

Cavities tend to be more prevalent in children than adults. This is because many kids do not pay careful enough attention to their oral health and might not brush or floss thoroughly enough. As a parent, it is very important to help you child step up his oral hygiene game. Here are five helpful tips for helping your child avoid cavities:

Teach About the Importance of Good Oral Hygiene

Your child might not yet realize how important it is to keep up brushing and flossing. It is up to you to educate him. Tell him good oral hygiene will keep his teeth and gums healthy and prevent oral health diseases, like cavities and gum disease. If your child realizes what can happen if he does not take his oral hygiene seriously, he may be more likely to brush and floss thoroughly.

Make Brushing Fun

Chances are that tooth brushing is not on the list of fun things to do for your child. However, you can make it a little more exciting for him. For example, you can play a fun song in the background while he brushes his teeth or buy him a flavored toothpaste.

Find a Pediatric Dentist

A pediatric dentist is used to being around children and will likely be more sensitive and patient with your child. If your child feels nervous, the dentist will know what to say to ease his anxiety.

Consider Dental Sealants

Some children are just more prone to cavities than others. If this is the case with your child, consider getting him dental sealants. Your child's dentist can place these sealants over the biting surfaces of his teeth to prevent bacteria from getting in.

Make Sure Your Child Doesn't Share His Food and Drink

When your child is at school, he may want to trade his food and drink with other classmates. However, this can lead to tooth decay. If your child shares a drink with classmate who has a cavity, the bacteria can transfer to your child's mouth. Tell your child what can happen if he shares his food an drink with others, so you can avoid extra trips to the dentist's office.

Keeping your child free of cavities does not have to be difficult. It just takes a little more effort. If you follow these helpful tips, you can reduce your child's risk of tooth decay and keep his mouth healthy.

Contact a dental office like Edwardsville Family Dentist to learn more.

Share