Brush and Floss (vitally important for prevention)
Good oral hygiene is the best method of preventing cavities. For infants, use a wet gauze or clean washcloth to wipe the plaque from teeth and gums after each bottle. You can also use a wet toothbrush. Children with teeth should NEVER go to bed with a bottle.
Older children should brush their teeth at least twice a day (more is better) and eat a healthy, balanced diet with a limited amount of sugary snacks. For more details on brushing and flossing, click here.
Avoid these MAJOR cavity causers:
(Anything on this list can cause severe cavities very quickly.)
- Eating or drinking before bedtime.
- Going to bed with a bottle.
- Eating and drinking habits which include: Frequent snacking, sipping, or “grazing”.This includes milk and juice. Water is okay, however. We recommend to limit drinks other than water to meal times or snack times. To understand WHY this can cause cavities so quickly, see our page on What Causes Cavities.
- Candy every day, especially multiple times a day.
- Skipping bedtime brushing.
Do This:
Brush at least twice a day. Make night time the most thorough brushing.
Floss daily, at night time preferably. This is more important when the teeth are touching.
For best prevention, if possible, brush after every meal.
You Already Know:
Lots of candy can lead to cavities. We recommend to save it for special occasions, or once a week, but not once a day.
You May Not Know:
The “sneaky” cavity causers:
Gummy Bear Vitamins . (I will continue to preach the unhealthy consequences of Gummy Bear Vitamins until they switch the sugars to Xylitol or something that does not cause cavities as quickly as candy. It makes sense that eating a gummy bear coated in cavity-causing sugar everyday can cause cavities, so unfortunately it is not different when vitamins are mixed with it.) We recommend switching to the sugar free chewable until the manufacturers listen to our requests. Unfortunately, the reason they taste so good is because of the sugar.
The other “sneaky, sticky” foods: Fruit snacks, fruit leathers, dried fruit, raisins, and other sticky foods can cause cavities even with good brushing technique. These tend to stay on the teeth after you have finished chewing, and therefore should not be an everyday food.
Routine Dental Visits
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends visits to your pediatric dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning. These visits will start your child on a lifetime of good dental health.
Sealants
The grooves and depressions that form the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are extremely difficult (if not impossible) to clean of bacteria and food. As the bacteria reacts with the food, acids form and break down the tooth enamel, causing cavities.
Tooth sealants protect these susceptible areas by sealing the grooves and depressions, preventing bacteria and food particles from residing in these areas. The sealant material is a clear or shaded plastic resin that is typically applied to the back teeth and areas prone to cavities. It lasts for several years but needs to be checked during regular appointments.
Fluoride
Prescription strength fluoride provided by the dentist is recommended every six months for those at normal risk for cavities. For those at high risk for cavities, fluoride treatments are recommended every 3 months according to the latest research. The dental team will evaluate your child's risk level for cavities as part of the dental check-up.