Keeping Cavities Out of Your Child's Mouth

(HealthScoutNews) -- Parents can play a key role in ensuring their children's smiles stay healthy and cavity-free.

That's the good news in a report in the January/February issue of General Dentistry.

First, some background. Cavities are caused by acid-forming bacteria found in dental plaque. Children aged 1 to 6 are more susceptible to cavities because their primary teeth have thinner, weaker enamel.

Primary teeth also have more spaces between them, which means it's more likely that food will linger in those spaces and provide a perfect breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria.

However, parents can help protect their children from cavities by following this advice:

• Increase your child's daily intake of fluoride, which strengthens young teeth and protects them from cavities. Fluoride can be obtained in toothpaste, fluoridated water, rinses and with professional applications.

• Ensure your child eats a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Limit their sugar intake.

• Help promote and implement dental health and education in the schools and community.

• Prevent baby bottle tooth decay, which is caused by frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids that contain sugars. These liquids include milk, formula, fruit juice, sodas and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these drinks pool around the infant's teeth and gums. Never allow an infant to fall asleep with a bottle containing any of these liquids.

• Wrap a moistened gauze square or washcloth around a finger and clean and massage your baby's gums to help establish healthy teeth and to aid in teething. Do it once a day.

• Your child should visit a dentist within six months of eruption of the first tooth.

More information

The American Dental Association has more information about children's dental health.

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