Cavities are one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood,
according to the Centers for Disease Control. Over half of children between age
6 and age 8 have had a cavity in one of their baby teeth, and 57% of teenagers
between ages 12 and 19 have had a cavity in their permanent teeth. Besides
regular brushing and flossing, there is more that parents and kids can be doing
to help improve oral health and avoid problems like cavities.
Cavities can be caused by bacteria, foods, acids, and
saliva. Foods with sugars and starches in them, like candy, soda, cake, juices,
milk, and cereals, become acidic from the bacteria in kid's mouths. Acids can
sit around kid’s teeth and break down the protective enamel coating which can
lead to cavity formation.
READ MORE: 5 fun ways to get your kids to brush their teeth
In addition to regular brushing and flossing at least twice
a day, parents can help their kids protect the health of their mouths and teeth
by:
Drinking more water – drinking water can help
wash stuck foods, especially sugar and starches, off the teeth helping to keep
acid from forming.
Don’t always drink filtered water – most city
water systems contain fluoride which can help strengthen tooth enamel. If your
water doesn’t contain fluoride, consider having regular fluoride treatments at
the dentist.
Avoid sticky snacks between meals – it’s not
just sugar that is the cavity culprit. Snacks like crackers, pretzels, and
other starchy foods can get stuck on teeth for hours. If kids have a sticky
snack, have them swish water around their mouth after eating to help remove
stuck on bits.
Try not to share eating utensils between family
members – taking a bite of food off mom or dad’s fork or spoon, or mom or dad
having a lick of a child’s ice cream might seem harmless, but everyone’s mouth
has different bacteria and cavity bacteria from one mouth could transfer to
another.
For kids
with deep grooves in their back teeth, ask dentists about sealants which can
add another protective layer and help make those hard-to-reach areas easier to
clean.
Chew gum between meals and after snacks –
according to the American Dental Association, chewing gum can increase saliva
in the mouth which can help reduce plaque acid and help prevent cavities from
forming.
For more helpful oral health tips and to
discover more about the Red Seal toothpaste and other oral care products,
visit: www.redseal.global or shop Red
Seal products on Amazon.
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