Preventing Cavities

Preventing Cavities

Our recommended routines for a healthier smile.

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Why is cavity prevention so important at such a young age?

Most cavities, at any age, are caused by high sugary and acidic foods and drinks and lack of proper brushing. For children, it’s common to be less concerned about baby teeth, but they are crucial to their developing adult teeth, chewing without discomfort, and speech!

Brushing at least every morning after breakfast and every evening before bed with a tiny amount of fluoridated toothpaste. This routine should start as soon as the first tooth appears and continue throughout their life.  The amount of fluoridated toothpaste to be used varies with age and we would be happy to give you our scientific guidelines and advice at every appointment.

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How cavities & gum disease can occur:

  • Bacterial plaque can easily build up at your gum line, on your teeth, and in between teeth.
  • The build up can decay teeth, advance gum disease, cause discoloration, create sensitive teeth, and more.
  • There is usually no pain involved until their has been significant advancement in the dental disease so it is important to be seen before discomfort occurs.
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Questions &Answers

Tips for cavity prevention​

If your child has any pain while brushing or have any questions about how to brush properly,
please contact us!

How do I keep my child's smile healthy & happy?

  • Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
  • Encourage brushing, flossing and rinsing.
  • Supervised brushing and parental flossing until 8-9 years of age
  • Watch what your child drinks including acidic bottled water.
  • Avoid giving your child sticky foods like fruit roll-ups.
  • Choose nutritious snacks.

How much pressure should my child use when brushing?​​

Use light pressure while putting the bristles between the teeth, but not so much pressure that they feel any discomfort.

What are some overall best practices?

  • Change the position of the brush as often as necessary to reach & clean all surfaces.
  • We suggest having them watch themselves in the mirror to make sure they clean each surface.

What steps should your child take when brushing their teeth?​

  1. Position the brush at a 45 degree angle where their gums and teeth meet.
  2. Gently move the brush in a circular motion several times using small, gentle strokes brushing the outside surfaces of their teeth.
  3. When they are done cleaning the outside surfaces of all their teeth, follow the same directions while cleaning the inside of the back teeth.
  4. To clean the inside surfaces of the upper and lower front teeth, hold the brush vertically. Make several gentle back-and-forth strokes over each tooth.
  5. Don’t forget to gently brush the surrounding gum tissue!
  6. Clean the biting surfaces of their teeth by using short, gentle strokes.
  7. After they are done, rinse vigorously to remove any plaque they might have loosened while brushing.
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Kristi
Scheduling Coordinator
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