Lawrence M. Spindel, DDS Keeping Your Children Cavity Free
By Lawrence Spindel DDS Friday March 7, 2007
- It’s best to supervise your children’s brushing and have them buy a rechargeable Braun electric Toothbrush(in my opinion the best one on the market)
- Try to avoid letting your child snack on sugary foods or even foods high in carbohydrates (carbohydrates are easy to break down to sugar). Sweets should be consumed if possible during and at the end of a meal as desert and shouldn’t bathe the teeth all day long. Lollipops -bad, chocolate cake as desert-better, Tootsie rolls-bad, Chocolate milk-better. Sour and sweet candies are the worst choice since they contain acid and sugar, both of which combine to make cavities.
- It’s best to have your child visit their dentist twice per year to have their teeth examined ,cleaned and to receive oral hygiene coaching
- Their dentist should place sealants in the grooved occlusal surfaces of all back teeth. These are the areas that kids are especially prone to decay and sealants are probably the best way to prevent the fissures from developing cavities.
- Have your child drink properly fluoridated water (one part per million) starting from and early age (prior to three) Most bottled water is not fluoridated, but probably the best source of fluorided water is filtered tap water and you will save money too.
- It’s best if you set a good example in your habits, since children do imitate their parents
- Limit soda consumption. Carbonated soda is especially bad for teeth.
- Praise your child after brushing or tell them how proud you are of them when they eat “healthy snacks”
- When you do break down and let them have a sugary snack, ask them to brush their teeth afterwards. It is best not to let the sugar linger in the mouth for hours at a time.
- If possible don’t use the TV as a babysitter, since it is only natural that kids watching TV for long periods will want to snack. If they are busy with activities they are less likely to crave sugary snacks.
