Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100
Early
childhood tooth decay is a very serious problem for young children. According
to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 28% of U.S. children
between the ages of 2 and 5 have has some sort of tooth decay. Tooth decay can cause various problems for
children including interferences with sleep, eating, learning and playing.
From
a young age, children begin sucking on bottles or sippy cups as if it were a
pacifier. Other children continue breast feeding long after it is considered
crucial. It has been found that frequent sucking or sipping anything other than
regular water from a bottle or cup may increase the risk of a child developing
early tooth decay.
Here
are a few ways to prevent decay:
- Decay can almost always be prevented by keeping the mouth healthy. This requires healthy eating, regular brushing and flossing, and visits to the dentist.
- Do not allow your child to walk around with a bottle or sippy cup to continually drink from or use as a pacifier.
- Whether you're breastfeeding or using a bottle, wipe your baby's gums and teeth with a damp washcloth or gauze pad at least twice a day.
- Make sure your local water contains an optimal level of fluoride. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay. If your water doesn't have enough fluoride in it, ask your dentist or pediatrician how your child's fluoride needs should be managed.
What steps do your children take in effort to help prevent decay? Let us know on our Facebook page linked HERE!
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