16 Jan When Sugar Strikes: How to Handle Cavities in Kids Without the Guilt
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), almost 46% of kids in the United States have tooth decay, also known as dental cavities.
If your child’s teeth have tooth decay, you might feel guilty. You may ask yourself, “Is it my fault my kid has cavities?” Don’t worry! We’ll cover steps for effectively managing and preventing childhood cavities, so you and your child can have peace of mind.
What Causes Cavities in Kids?
Just like in adults, the primary causes of cavities in children’s baby teeth are dental plaque and tartar.
Dental plaque is a translucent but sticky and icky substance that naturally and constantly forms on the teeth. It does so as the bacteria in the mouth feed on food debris, including carbohydrates and sugars.
As pointed out by an article from Listerine.com, the mouth is home to 700 species of bacteria. So, as long as your little ones eat, which they must do, you can’t stop plaque from forming on their pearly whites.
For the same reason, you shouldn’t put all the blame on yourself if your kids develop cavities, provided you’ve been ensuring they floss once and brush for at least two minutes at least twice daily. Such practices help remove plaque before it hardens into tartar.
Once tartar forms, which can happen within 24 to 72 hours, only a dental hygienist or children’s dentist can remove it using specialized tools. The longer tartar sits on the teeth and beneath the gum line, the more likely tooth decay and gum disease will occur.
What Should You Do if Your Children Get Cavities?
Tooth decay can cause pain and premature tooth loss. According to a study published on PubMed Central, it can even decrease quality of life and cause up to 10 million missed school days in the U.S. yearly!
So, while you shouldn’t blame yourself if your kids develop cavities, you shouldn’t ignore these oral health care problems, either. Instead, you should bring your little ones to a pediatric dentist soon.
One of our children’s dentist can help by diagnosing the exact problem. If it turns out to be a cavity, the dentist will treat it by:
- Removing the decay
- Cleaning and disinfecting the affected teeth
- Restoring the teeth with fillings
Also, treating cavities on baby teeth is just as crucial as treating permanent teeth. Yes, baby teeth will eventually fall out, but if this happens too early, they can cause your kids’ permanent teeth to come in improperly.
Parents’ Dental Strategy for Kids: Cavity Prevention
The best way to prevent cavities in your kids is to ensure they follow good oral hygiene habits.
As mentioned, children should brush for at least two minutes at least twice daily and floss regularly. Here are other guilt-free dental care tips that can help you help your little ones prevent cavities.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups
Take your kids to the dentist every six months. Ideally, you should start doing this when they begin teething as babies.
Regular checkups allow dentists to:
- Monitor your little ones’ oral health and development
- Spot problems like tooth decay, gum disease, or teeth and jaw alignment problems early
- Treat oral health conditions before they worsen
Moreover, the earlier you bring your kids to the dentist, the sooner the dentist can build rapport with them. It can help your children feel more comfortable instead of fearing the dentist.
Offer Alternatives to Overly Sweet Foods
You don’t have to completely prohibit your children from eating sweet treats like cake, cookies, candies, or ice cream. Instead, compromise and offer healthier alternatives, such as:
- Fruits with low glycemic or sugar content, such as blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries
- Yogurt without added sugar
- Trail mix with nuts
- Frozen bananas
- Dried fruits without extra sugar
- Cheese and carrot sticks with dip
Keep Your Little Ones’ Teeth Cavity-Free
If your child develops tooth decay, you might immediately wonder, “Is it my fault my kid has cavities?” Rather than thinking of this and blaming yourself, it’s much better to focus on addressing and preventing the problem from happening again. Setting a good example, teaching them better oral hygiene habits, and regularly visiting the dentist can all help keep your little ones’ teeth disease-free.
Our doctors at McIlwain Dental Specialists are ready to help your entire family achieve better oral health. We’re trusted experts in our community, serving the greater Tampa Bay and Wesley Chapel area for over four decades.
Reach out today to book your family’s dental appointment!