Five things you can do to prevent cavities in toddlers

Tooth decay among toddlers is on the rise, according to data from the Royal College of Surgeons. In 2006-07, the number of tooth extractions on children under the age of five was 7,444, whereas in 2015-16, figure this had increased to 9,206. In other words, the number of tooth extractions on children under five has increased by 24 percent over ten years. This increase can be attributed to tooth decay.

Luckily, there are some things you can do to stop this problem. In this post, we’ll discuss five of the things you can do make sure your toddler doesn’t get a cavity.

 

1. Take your toddler to the dentist at an early age

You should take your child to the dentist as soon as his first tooth rips erupts. During the first visit, the dentist will use the opportunity check that your baby’s gums and mouth are healthy and also look for signs of early decay. It’s never too early to start going to the dentist; in fact, it’s beneficial because it gets them used to going to the dentist and will make future appointments easier.

 

2. Limit your toddler’s sugar intake

Also, almost all foods contain some sugar, though there are certain foods that contain a lot of sugar. These include sweets, fruit juice, chocolate, and dried fruit. You should limit your toddler’s intake of these foods – if you don’t, the sugar can ruin their teeth.

 

3. Don’t let your child sleep with a bottle

If you give your child bottles of milk, don’t let her fall asleep with the bottle in her mouth. This is because the milk will pool in her mouth and can cause cavities.

 

4. Start brushing your child’s teeth early

As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts, start brushing her teeth after meals and bedtime, or at least twice a day. It’s best not to use a toothbrush at this point though as the bristles can be too hard and they can damage your baby’s teeth. Instead, use a finger brush, damp washcloth, gauze pad, or even just your finger to gently rub on your child’s teeth and gums. And it’s okay to use toothpaste on babies, as long as the toothpaste is designed for babies and you only use a tiny amount.

 

5. Ensure your toddler is getting enough fluoride

Some parts of the UK have fluoridated tap water while other areas don’t. If you’re in an area without fluoridated tap water, or if you prefer to give your toddler bottled water instead, then talk to your dentist about whether your toddler would benefit from a fluoride supplement.

 

Conclusion

We hope that you’re now more confident about how to prevent tooth decay in young chilldren. However, if you’re still worried about your toddler’s teeth, then make an appointment with us. We’ll take a look at your child’s teeth and recommend what you can do to keep them healthy. Book an appointment by simply calling our phone number and talking to one of our friendly receptionists.

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