What Is Tooth Decay and How to Prevent It
Around the 6-month mark, you’ll most likely see your baby starting to teeth. Baby teeth are critical to care for since they affect the growth and development of adult teeth. If you notice white spots on your child’s upper front teeth, know that this is a sign of early childhood tooth decay. Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood in the United States. It can be costly to treat and a painful experience for your child. Our pediatric dentistry services focus on prevention by encouraging good dental habits early for brighter smiles later.
A myriad of factors and specific types of bacteria that dwell on teeth cause tooth decay. When your child consumes sugar, the bacteria turn it into acid that damages the tooth’s enamel, causing an infection. The infection is called decay.
At Jamboree Dentistry, we believe that prevention is the best cure.
Follow these tips to prevent tooth decay in your child:
- Brush your child’s teeth with a fluoride toothpaste.
- Teach your child to brush and floss every day to stop plaque from building up.
- Give your child a bottle of plain water instead of one with juice or milk when you put them to bed.
- Don’t breastfeed your child when they’re asleep or put their bottle away.
- Stop your child from walking around with a bottle of juice or milk as a pacifier.
- Teach your child to drink from a cup by the time they are 6-months-old.
- Don’t dip your child’s pacifier in sugar or honey.
- Schedule regular dental checkups and teeth cleanings.
- Feed your child tooth-healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Encourage your child to drink tap water.
As a parent, you might want to give your child a sweet regularly and stop their cravings. Too many sweets can result in tooth decay and other health problems down the road. Don’t make the wrong decisions for your baby.
Contact us today to help you and your child adopt healthy habits and prevent the preventable.
