At Sprout and Bloom, we have several great ways to halt decay on your children’s baby teeth, to clear the way for the healthy development of permanent teeth. Ideally, though, you’d stop cavities in your kids’ teeth before they start.
We’re happy to help with that! See our suggestions below, then call 720-615-6087 for an appointment.
- Encourage Good Oral Hygiene Habits – Just like an adult, your child needs to brush twice a day and floss regularly. It’s a good idea to monitor their brushing until you can ensure they are doing it properly. Make sure they use a soft-bristled brush and a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Time them so you know they are brushing at least two minutes each time. Check out an earlier post for our tips on oral hygiene encouragement.
- Bring Them for Cleanings Every Six Months – Even with daily brushing, your child is bound to miss some bacteria and plaque. Over time, it hardens into tartar. If not removed by a dental professional, tartar will result in cavities. Schedule a cleaning every six months so we can prevent this from happening.
- Skip Juice and Soda in Favor of Water – We know, your kids like these beverages. But they do a real number on teeth. They contain high amounts of sugar and acids. These substances eat into tooth enamel and cause cavities. Water is by far the best beverage for your kids’ teeth – and also their overall health.
- Serve Teeth-Friendly Foods – You’ll want to avoid sugary and acidic foods as much as possible too. Serve fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, and other dairy products for snacks. The produce contains plenty of water and fiber, both of which help remove cavity-causing bacteria. Dairy has calcium and casein, substances that strengthen tooth enamel. Yogurt is a good option, if you choose Greek yogurt. It contains less sugar and carbs than regular yogurt.
- Get Fluoride and Sealants – Ask your dentist about fluoride and dental sealants. Both of these simple treatments give your children added protection against dental decay. You can read more about sealants in an earlier blog post.
Like cleanings, regular exams are important too. They give your child’s dentist a chance to catch dental decay in its earliest stage. For young children with minimal decay, we can apply a silver diamine fluoride solution to kill bacteria and seal your child’s tooth. This avoids the process of getting a filling. We can reapply the solution twice a year until the tooth falls out on its own.
To visit Sprout and Bloom Pediatric Dentistry in Littleton, CO, call us today at 720-615-6087 to schedule an appointment or .