With many financial obligations and the desire to give your children the best medical and dental care available, it is important to save money wherever possible. When evaluating your child’s dental health, this involves looking at your child’s diet, frequency of eating and drinking, and oral hygiene (brushing and flossing).
Interestingly enough, students miss more than 51 million school hours per year because of dental problems, according to the AAPD. This can result in missed time from work or commitments. Children with healthy teeth have better attendance, are more attentive in class and tend to participate more fully in school-related activities
The mouth is a gateway to your child’s health, however cavities can occur in infants, children and adolescents. What you may not know is that genetics can play a major role in who will get cavities and who will not. Some children may be born with the perfect chemistry that can prevent decay in teeth. There are individuals who do not have a single filling in their teeth, and those who have experienced many fillings, root canals and implants. There are steps that you and your child may take to lessen and even prevent cavities and dental problems before they become severe or need care.
For infants, the enamel protective cover is thinner in baby teeth than permanent teeth. Therefore, infant cavities can quickly cause severe damage, pain, poor appetite and early tooth loss of baby teeth. Prevention starts with cleaning your baby’s gum pads prior to teeth erupting. A clean cloth will be adequate. As soon as teeth come in, wipe them clean after nursing. A cloth or soft toothbrush will work well. Toothpaste is not needed. The most severe form of cavities in infants occurs when they are allowed to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup with juice or milk. Even diluted juice contains sugar that will cause decay. If you need to leave your infant with a bottle or sippy cup, plain water is harmless. It is wise to see a pediatric dentist by age one to rule out problems with your child’s teeth and for specific guidance to take care of his/her teeth.
Adolescent children need your assistance with brushing and flossing until the age of 6 – longer if your child has difficulty with dexterity and lacks the commitment to take their time and reach all areas in the mouth for at least three minutes. The extra time you take assisting your child can easily be time saved at the dental office. Flossing is very important; no doubt you have heard these words from your dentist. We have seen children with good oral hygiene and the appearance of healthy teeth and gums, yet cavity check pictures (X-rays) show numerous cavities between their teeth. Flossing will protect against those cavities, as well as keep harmful bacteria from building up in between the teeth and in the mouth. There are many products on the market that can make flossing more manageable and even fun for your child.
Good diet is another aid in reducing cavities and the need for numerous dental visits. Children snack and drink often – how else can they keep their brilliant minds charged? Unfortunately, the more times food and drink goes in, the more times the cavity process can start. You can help by offering low-cavity potential snacks. These snacks are generally high in protein (cheese, nuts and meats), fresh vegetables and fresh fruits – especially juicy fruits like grapes (they are high in water content). Carbohydrate snacks will pose the highest risk for cavities, especially dried fruit snacks and sticky candies. Snacks like crackers often stick to the tops of teeth, breaking down to simple sugars and activating the cavity process. Keeping juices and sugary drinks to a minimum is recommended, water is a better choice for hydration in between meals.
Teens and pre-teens often develop cavities from chewing or sucking on hard candies and gum. They may also be drinking sport and energy drinks that are very acidic and heavily sweetened. These drinks are usually consumed and then sit on the teeth as he or she engages in physical activities for long periods of time. A simple substitute of xylitol sweetened gum and plain bottled water is safe for teeth. Drinking water is still one of the best things you can do for your body and teeth.
Bringing your children to see a dentist every six months can definitely reduce the costs of dental care. Dental health professionals can advise you if there is a problem and what preventive measures can be made. These measures may be as simple as working with dental floss, changing toothpastes, catching decay before it becomes severe and adding fluoride to your child’s daily routine. If fillings are needed, they no longer have to be unsightly metal alloys. Composite (tooth-colored) fillings are equally reliable and can often be combined with sealants to protect other portions of the tooth. Catching decay early on can help ensure that the decay does not become severe and cause a dental emergency, causing pain and additional cost.
Dr. Moran practices pediatric dentistry in Albany. For more information about dental care for infants, children and young adults; visit aboutkidsteeth.com.
