Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. It is estimated that half of all children in the United States will have cavities by age 11. Cavities are not just a problem for children–tooth decay can lead to serious health problems for people of all ages. Untreated tooth decay can cause pain, infection, and even death. The good news is that tooth decay is preventable! This blog post will explore tooth decay risks in children and what causes it.
Top 3 Causes Of Child Tooth Decay
Thumb-Sucking
Your baby can fall asleep with their thumb in their mouth. It is a sleeping aid for babies. It can be troublesome for them if it extends beyond the sleeping hour.
Excess thumb-sucking can cause several problems, including bottom teeth pointing inward; while the mouth is closed, top and bottom teeth meet; front teeth protrude out of the mouth. You need to speak to the dentist if they don’t dropped the habit on their own between the ages of two and three.
So how to deal with this stressful situation? The dentist will recommend some strategies for this. Try positive reinforcement by stopping them when they are doing it instead of completely punishing or forbidding them. Follow this if you want to see the start of a beautiful grown-up smile.
Sippy Cups
Sugary drinks can be the cause of tooth decay and the way children consume them. It is one of the major risks to a child’s oral health. The sugars in the drink will feed your child’s oral bacteria and increase the risk of decay, whether the drink is milk or fruit juice.
If the child drinks these throughout the day, these will allow their teeth to welcome more sugar constantly. This has earned its name, bottle rot or baby bottle tooth decay. This is such a common problem in recent times.
Less time your child’s teeth are welcomed the sugary drinks, it’s better. It’s not possible to ban all sugary drinks. The healthiest option for your child’s teeth is to fill the bottle with water instead of sugary drinks.
Sugary Candy And Snacks
Sugary candy and snacks can be your child’s next oral health danger. Everything from confectionary to nutritious options like cheese has sugar. Our saliva needs at least an hour to wash away all the food remnants every time we eat. But children’s mouths never have a chance to recuperate when they always eat snacks. So, it is best to consume sugary foods during mealtime instead of throughout the day, just like you have to avoid sugary drinks.
Risks Factors In Tooth Decay
Children can face tooth decay at an early age—some factors you can control. Limit sugary foods, use fluoride toothpaste, and practice good oral hygiene. However, there are some factors you can’t control, including taking sugar medicines and respiratory conditions that dry out their mouth, like asthma. Another factor is called baby bottle tooth decay for infants and toddlers. Young children may have receding gums that can cause root cavities.
Schedule An Appointment with Child Dentistry
Children are at high risk for tooth decay for many reasons. Some of the biggest factors include poor dental hygiene, insufficient fluoride, and consuming too many sugary drinks. It’s important to be aware of these risks so that you can take steps to prevent tooth decay in your children. If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with your dentist of child dentistry in Grapevine. They will be able to give you specific advice on how to protect your child’s teeth and keep them healthy.
