Cavities can develop at any stage of a child’s life, even as young as two years old. While a young child’s teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced with permanent ones, it is important to prevent tooth decay so gums stay healthy. Tooth decay can be easily prevented with good oral hygiene and other good habits, such as the ones listed below.
Avoid Milk or Juice at Bedtime
If your child goes to bed with a bottle or wants a drink before bedtime, always give them water. Milk and fruit juices contain sugar, which can sit on the teeth all night and lead to tooth decay. If your child is fussy or flinches when they eat cold foods, they may have a cavity or may be developing one and should be seen by a local dentist in Egg Harbor Township, NJ.
Have Teeth Sealed
To help protect teeth against decay, a local dentist can apply a sealant to a child’s back teeth. The sealant acts to prevent food particles from getting stuck in teeth and forming bacteria that causes tooth decay. However, sealants are not a substitute for good oral hygiene, so your child should still carefully brush and floss their teeth.
Use Fluoride Toothpastes
A child doesn’t necessarily need to use toothpaste when brushing their teeth, and they shouldn’t use fluoride pastes until they can spit it out. After the age of two, you can use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste, but your child should always spit it out. If necessary, an Egg Harbor Township dentist can give children fluoride treatments to help prevent tooth decay.
You can start taking your child to a local dentist after their first tooth appears or by the age of one. It is never too early for them to develop good oral hygiene habits to prevent tooth decay.
