While anyone can develop tooth decay regardless of their age, children are the most vulnerable. Tooth decay causes painful cavities even for adults and can the overall health of a child. A healthy kid is a happy kid and prioritizing their oral health is the best way to ensure your child is always smiling.
Here are three ways you can prevent tooth decay in your kid.
1. Always Ensure A Healthy Diet for Your Kids
Diet is closely linked to dental health, as everything your kid eats or drinks must pass by the teeth and gums. As such, bad eating habits are one of the major risk factors for tooth decay in children.
First, limit the sugary foods and drinks that your kid consumes. When they consume sugary foods or drinks, bacteria in the mouth feed on the sugar to produce an acid that eats away their teeth coating.
Ensure they drink water throughout the day instead of sugary drinks. Regular water consumption helps flush out sugar and acids from the kid's mouth while also keeping them healthy and hydrated.
Provide them with healthy and nutritious foods that lower the risk of tooth decay. Meals such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are perfect. Suitable snacks include yogurt, milk, and cheese since they clear harmful sugars from the mouth. If you give any sweet snack, accompany it with a crunchy snack such as an apple or carrot.
2. Formulate An Oral Hygiene Routine
Another line of defense against tooth decay for your kid is maintaining dental hygiene. Proper and consistent brushing and flossing help prevent the accumulation of food particles that bacteria stick to as they cause damage.
For a baby's gums, use a clean, soft, and damp cloth to eliminate plaque before the first tooth emerges. Oversee your kid's brushing and flossing until they can do a perfect job on their own. These daily oral hygiene habits, when introduced at a young age, last a lifetime.
3. Regular Dental Check-ups
Your kid's first dental check-up should be as early as before their first birthday. This should be followed by regular visits to your pediatric dentist who examines them and gives them a clean bill of health.
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