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As a parent, you care about your child's overall well-being, including their oral health. For that reason, as soon as your child is old enough to start brushing and flossing on their own, it’s important to help them develop a regular oral hygiene routine that removes plaque, minimizes the risk of cavities, and preserves their pearly whites. Here are several tips to help your child avoid cavities before their next trip to the pediatric dentist.

How to Help Your Child Avoid Tooth Decay

1. Serve Healthy Snacks

Decay-causing bacteria in your child’s mouth thrive on sugars, starches, carbohydrates, and acids. These substances help them wear down the protective enamel layer on your child’s teeth, eventually leading to cavities. To counteract these effects, start serving nutritious, tooth-friendly snacks. For example, sugar-free yogurt and string cheese are packed with calcium, a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel. Vegetables like broccoli and carrots naturally scrub teeth thanks to their texture, which can remove plaque and reinforce tooth strength.

2. Brush & Floss Together

pediatric dentist

Without a regular oral hygiene routine, plaque will build up on your child's teeth and eventually create cavities. To help your child understand the importance of oral hygiene, start brushing and flossing with them to keep them engaged and help them improve their technique. Use products approved by their pediatric dentist and ensure they’re scrubbing all surfaces of their teeth. You may need to help with flossing if they are still developing the required coordination.

3. Promote Hydration

Saliva washes your child’s teeth throughout the day and helps minimize plaque buildup, but only if they’re adequately hydrated. To make sure your child drinks enough water, you can start sending them to school with a water bottle and remind them to drink throughout the day. This ensures saliva helps rinse plaque and food debris from their teeth between brushing and flossing and will also improve their overall health.

 

In addition to a healthy oral hygiene routine, your child needs to visit the dentist twice a year for cleanings and exams to avoid cavities. Turn to Carolyn B. Crowell, DMD, & Associates for gentle, kid-friendly dental services. Based in Avon, OH, this pediatric dentist addresses every stage of oral development. From your infant’s first tooth to orthodontics, Dr. Crowell will ensure your family has all the dental care resources they need for a healthy smile. Call (440) 934-0149 to schedule a cleaning, or learn more about this pediatric dentist on her website.

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