5 Questions to Assess the Risk of Tooth Decay on Children

Who wouldn’t want their child to avoid the pain of tooth decay? With the help of dental professionals, you can completely keep your child’s teeth healthy .

Children can suffer from different dental issues. These include grinding of the teeth, sucking of thumbs, obsession with pacifiers, and frequent eating of sweets. However, according to Richard A. Huot, DDS, dental caries are the most common form of oral disease among children.

Since dental health is important, parents should know what to do in order to spare their children from dental caries. You should start by getting professional assessment of your child’s current oral health.

You can do the initial assessment yourself as well. How? You only need to answer the following questions. Answers to these questions will be a big help to dental professionals like the Dental Partners of Boston as they can rapidly assess your child’s dental needs and prevent or lessen the risk cavity build-up.

  1.       How much fluoride does your family get?

According to the American Dental Association, fluoride is also known as the “nature’s cavity fighter.” This element makes the enamel of the teeth of both children and adults to resist more acid.

Fluoride can be found on lakes, rivers, and oceans. Since 1940, the Water and Sewer Association has dedicated great effort to add fluoride in the tap water system of the country. As of today, 75% of the states in the US has a good amount of this mineral their water supply.

Take note that the use of fluoride-based toothpastes is inadvisable to toddlers. Swallowing the toothpaste can be dangerous to their health. Once the child is old enough to spit the toothpaste, then they can start using it. Put pea-sized toothpaste on their toothbrush.

  1.       Do you help your child in brushing their teeth?

Let your children learn to be independent when it comes to taking care of their oral health.  Have them brush their teeth on their own. You can make it your daily routine to brush your teeth with your child every night so you can check if they are doing it well. A wall chart can also help you monitor your child’s dental cleaning activities. Flossing is another great dental habit.

  1.       Does your child have cavities?

If you notice the earliest sign of cavity in your child’s mouth, be sure to take them to the dentist right away. It needs to be tended by a professional or the damage can penetrate the tooth further and spread to other teeth.

  1.       Does your child take a bottle to bed?

The most common cause of cavities among three-year-olds and under is falling asleep with a feeding bottle in their mouth. When the child is sleeping, the mouth produces less saliva. Thus, it is usually dry. It is during this time that the teeth are most vulnerable. If your child is drinking milk while sleeping, sugar can damage the tooth more quickly.

  1.       How often does your child eat snacks within a day?

Some foods can remain and stick in between the teeth for a long time. That is until they get thoroughly brushed. Frequent eating of snacks can increase the chance of tooth decay. Candy and other fruit snacks that are known to be sticky are not advisable. Some of the worst foods for the teeth are chips, candies, and citrus.

The Bottom Line

With today’s technology, it’s easier to reduce and eliminate dental caries. However, you can never be too careful when it comes to your child’s dental health. You need to secure frequent dental visits, a healthy diet, and a good oral hygiene for your kids.