The dreaded word- cavity. It means the end of sweet treats for kids and a hefty dent in the wallet for parents because cavities mean fillings.
But that first cavity doesn’t have to be so terrifying, successfully preparing your kids for their first cavity and most likely their first cavity filling begins long before the decay starts.
Understanding Cavities
Cavities happen when the enamel on the tooth breaks down. This is called decay, and it is caused by bacteria in the mouth interacting with sugars and producing acids that deplete calcium.
Once the enamel and calcium on the outside of teeth have worn away, the outer layer of the tooth breaks down and becomes infected- i.e a cavity.
It is a common misconception that children only get cavities when they eat a lot of sugary treats, and while that is in part true; the likelihood of your child getting a cavity is determined by several things.
- Improper brushing and flossing
- diets high in sugars
- lack of flouride
- shape of teeth
- tooth proximity and alignment
- parental dental history
- bacteria present in mouth
What To Do If Your Child Gets a Cavity:
The most important thing to remember is that time is important, the sooner that you treat an infection the better off you will be as you will prevent the damage from progressing.
Get to the dentist:
Your child should see a dentist no later than their first birthday, or within six months after their first tooth erupts. Unfortunately it is possible for infants to get cavities.
It is important to remember that baby teeth need to be treated and taken care of even though they will eventually fall out.
Think of it this way, baby teeth pave the way for your child’s permanent teeth. If they fall out too soon or become decayed it could not only make the rest of the mouth unhealthy, but it could also cause alignment problems for permanent teeth.
Take note of their diet and brushing habits:
Obviously, if your child is still an infant you will will be the one feeding and brushing their teeth, but in the case that your child is old enough to do those things for themselves it’s important to make sure that you are getting all of the sugars and bacteria out of their mouths.
Tip- to prevent the spread of potentially harmful bacteria don’t share eating utensils or toothbrushes with your infant. Babies are not born with the bacteria that causes acid production in their mouths. Sharing can transfer your saliva to their mouths and begin the production of harmful acids.
Know How Your History Could Affect Their Future:
While there are a lot of factors that you can control when it comes to preventing cavities, but there are also things that you simply can’t control, like genetics.
It is important to provide your child’s dentist with your complete and accurate dental history so that they can better determine the risk that your child has for developing dental problems.
Call now for an appointment!
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Farmington: (801) 447-5437