5 simple ways to prevent tooth decay in kids

Despite being a common problem, parents only find out about tooth decay once their children complain of a toothache. Here are 5 ways that can prevent your kids from tooth decay

5 simple ways to prevent tooth decay in kids

Tooth decay is a very common in children and the only way you can prevent it is by ensuring that your child avoid foods that are bad for his dental health.

Despite being a common problem, parents only find out about it once their children complain of toothache. Rather than taking it lightly and applying your own formulas at home, here are 5 ways that can prevent your kids from tooth decay.

Brush twice a day

Throughout the day, children eat or drink milk at least 6-7 times, which leaves germs in their teeth and to get rid of that, brushing before going to the bed is a must. It’s recommended that you as a parent stand next to your children when they start brushing and teach them to brush minimum for two minutes till their gums are not clean enough.

Also make sure that they give a gap of at least an hour between their last meal of the day and brushing as it can damage their teeth.

Say no to chocolates

Even if your child loves chocolates and eats 6 to 7 chocolates a day, you need to help him reduce the quantity. The amount of sugar a chocolate contains can be dangerous for your kids tooth as well as overall health. If your kid craves for a chocolate, its better if you introduce them to dark chocolates since the beginning.

While the normal chocolates damage your children’s teeth and leave cavity, dark chocolates are actually good at fighting with cavities, plaque and tooth decay as per the recent studies from Japan, England and the US. Interestingly researchers believe that CBH, a compound that is found in dark chocolates, might be used in mouthwashes and toothpaste in future.

Visit the dentist regularly

Do not wait for the milk teeth of your kids to fall to visit the dentist. In fact, as soon as your kid starts getting his first tooth, take him to the dentist for the first check-up. Once your children start getting adult tooth, make it a point to get them cleaned by a professional dentist at least twice a year.

You can also ask your dentist to put dental sealants, a plastic protective coating, to your child’s tooth. Dental sealant is generally applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to prevent decay.

Avoid sticky food

Kids love to eat sticky food such as candies, lollipops, caramels and jelly that contain refined sugar and that leave cavities inside fissures in teeth where even the toothbrush cannot reach.

This is why it is important that your kid has a balanced diet and having less of junk food such as potato chips or soft breads that can get trapped between their teeth for a long time.

Instead, make your child develop the habit of having fiber-rich fruits and vegetables. These have a detergent effect in the mouth and they also get saliva flowing. Eating fiber rich fruits is the best natural way to fight cavities and gum disease.

Drink fluoridated water

While you all might be having boiled water for the prevention of any disease, adding a pint of fluoridated water in your diet everyday can protect not just the kids but also adults from tooth decay. Fluoridated water contains fluoride, which works amazingly well to prevent cavities.

Get your tap water tested by your dentist for natural fluoride content in it. If its getting difficult for you to find fluoride supplement, you can also ask your dentist to apply fluoride varnish at your child’s teeth to protect them.

Brush up your kid's oral health

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