Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Preventing and Treating Cavities in Preschoolers!

Pediatric Dentistry of Garden City
516-222-5100

Preschoolers tend to be more prone to cavities. So, here are a few tips to prevent them or treat them if they do develop!

The easiest way is to insure that your child practices proper dental hygiene, meaning brushing at least twice a day in the morning and before bed.  It is helpful to cut out bottles of juice or milk before bed.  Juice is typically high in sugar but can also be very acidic, which can damage the enamel of their baby teeth and potentially adult teeth as well.  You should dilute their juice with water and limit the amount.  

One of the most obvious things to do is limit the amount of sweets and snacks your child eats.  Some snacks are better than others but only in moderation.  Plain chocolate can be a good snack as opposed to a cookie or cracker that is mashed into teeth and can remain their for and extended period of time.  Cavities usually occur in the chewing surfaces of molars, ask your dentist about tooth sealants that can protected the grooved and pitted areas where plaque will build.  

Additional fluoride helps the growth and development of teeth.  It can be found in toothpaste and rinses, although children under 4 should not use rinses.  You can ask you dentist to prescribe fluoride pills.  If a cavity does develop in your child’s baby tooth it is essential to fill it, decay can spread from one tooth to another.  If decay is left untreated it can lead to premature extraction or it can spread to permanent teeth and gums.  

Help your child to avoid the pain of a cavity by enforcing these rules and methods! 

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