3 Ways to Help Your Child Avoid a Toothless Future
If most of your family members wear dentures by the time they turn 40, you may be concerned about the health of your child's teeth. Even if his or her primary teeth are white and beautiful, decay can quickly transform them into dark, unsightly pegs. In addition, extractions can cause your little one to be left with missing teeth before it's time for his or her adult teeth to erupt. Here are a few ways to help your youngster avoid a toothless future.
Don't allow food and drinks just before bed
When your child eats or drinks before bedtime, you should limit his or her intake to water only. Foods and beverages, such as cookies and milk, will heighten your child's chances of developing dental caries due to low amounts of saliva.
At night, your child's saliva production is not as high as it is during the daytime. Saliva helps prevent cavities by washing away germs and food particles that could promote tooth decay. This is one of the reasons that children who go to bed with a bottle of milk or juice develop more cavities. The substances pool in the child's mouth, and there is not enough saliva to wash them away.
Oral bacteria in the mouth seize the opportunity to feed on the leftover carbohydrates. However, as they feed, they release acid, which de-mineralizes tooth enamel and eventually leads to cavities.
Having your child avoid bedtime snacks can help him or her avoid tooth decay.
Ask for dental sealants
If you know that your child is prone to cavities, ask his or her dentist about the benefits of dental sealants. The sealants are plastic coatings that are applied to the chewing surface of your child's teeth. Sealants are usually used for molars, which have deep crevices in which bacteria and plaque can settle. After a sealant is applied, your child's teeth will have a barrier between their tooth enamel and decay-causing substances.
Use a fluoride rinse
There are multiple fluoride rinses available for children. If your child is over the age of two and can spit without swallowing, a fluoride rinse may safely help protect the health of his or her teeth. Fluoride has been shown to stop bacteria from releasing acid that could erode the teeth by decreasing the bacterial acid tolerance.
In addition, fluoride hardens the teeth, making your child's tooth enamel even stronger than it was before being exposed to the fluoride.
A dentist can inform you of even more practical ways to help your child maintain good oral health. If your child has not visited his or her dentist recently, schedule an appointment with a professional like Children's Dental Center Of Central Iowa PLC.
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