Most parents have been there. You think you are taking your child to just another dentist appointment; then you are hit by a complete curveball. “They need to brush and floss, or else,” the dentist says.
The last thing you need on your list of things to worry about is that your child could have a painful cavity—but how do you prevent that from happening? Of course, your dentist gave you that answer: brush and floss. However, your child does that, and they are still at risk.
We at Sprout Pediatric Dentistry understand scenarios like this; that’s why we’ve put together a list of how to best prevent your child from getting cavities!
Alternatives to Dental Floss
Less than 32% of adults admit to flossing their teeth. If adults, who understand the actual costs of not flossing, hate this process of teeth cleaning, imagine how your kids feel about it! If you are having trouble getting your kids to floss, we recommend looking into some alternatives to traditional dental floss!
Flosser picks are a much easier way to get into those hard-to-reach areas of your smile to prevent cavities. They are compact, convenient, and come in fun shapes that will amuse your kids when it comes time to brush before bed! And don’t worry! If you are worried about the environment, several major brands have ADA-approved flosser picks that are biodegradable.
Water flossers are also a great way to prevent cavities! These pieces of technology use highly concentrated streams of water to get between teeth, removing food, bacteria, etc. They also make these tooth cleaners for kids, so you don’t have to worry about the infliction of serious injury.
Go Electric
One great way to prevent cavities in children is the purchase of an electric toothbrush! These are better at cleaning than a traditional brush and come in fun colors, shapes, sizes, and themes that can help get your child excited about cleaning their teeth. While these might seem expensive, a wide range of electric toothbrush prices can fit pretty much any budget.
Diet
A curated diet is the best way to prevent cavities in a child besides brushing and flossing. While many different things can cause tooth issues, said issues are always expedited by foods that are processed and high in sugar.
We know that kids love sugar and that it is hard to keep them from wanting candy and ice cream. However, it is good to avoid these food choices whenever possible. If your child must have an ice cream cone, we recommend that you have them brush after they are finished. The longer processed sugar sits on the surface of their teeth; the more likely a cavity will occur.
Telling your child that they have to brush after eating sugar might also be an excellent way to convince them that partaking in a sugary treat isn’t worth all the extra work that will come after they are finished eating. These psychological tricks work excellent with children and could ultimately prevent cavities from happening.
Contact Sprout Pediatric Dentistry Today!
Cavities are just a part of life. You could do everything you can to prevent your child from getting a cavity, and they could still get one. Having said that, this does not mean that you shouldn’t try to prevent cavities from happening.
Keep your child away from sugar, specifically processed sugar, brush, and floss regularly, and go to the dentist at least twice a year, and their chances of facing severe problems with their teeth will become significantly lower.
Is your child overdue for a dental checkup and cleaning? We can help! Contact Sprout Pediatric Dentistry TODAY!
