At Dr. Christian Johnson DMD, we strive to provide the best in pediatric dentistry for those in and around Waldorf, MD. It’s our goal to give your child the best dental care possible so that he or she can start on the path to a lifelong healthy smile. However, one of the main things that can prevent your child from having a healthy smile is tooth decay, also referred to as cavities. Did you know that tooth decay is actually the second most likely disease to develop in a person (right behind the common cold)? While tooth decay is highly prevalent, there are still things you can do to prevent your child from getting cavities. As your trusted Waldorf, MD pediatric dentist, we’d like to give you a few of our best suggestions on preventing tooth decay.
Cavity Prevention Tips From Your Waldorf Dentist
Keep Up a Proper Oral Hygiene Regimen
The first line of defense against cavities is to have good oral and dental hygiene. To accomplish this, it’s important to have a good oral hygiene regimen. We recommend that your child brushes twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. In terms of toothpaste, we recommend picking any brand that’s ADA-approved and contains fluoride, which will help strengthen tooth enamel. Also, encourage your child to floss daily so any food stuck in between teeth is cleaned out.
Eat Healthier
This suggestion may be a hard one! We understand that many children are often very attracted to sugary foods which, unfortunately, can be really bad for a child’s teeth. Foods that are sugar-filled or acidic will cause your child’s tooth enamel to erode and create cavities. Some of these sugary and acidic foods that you’ll need to watch out for include cookies, cake, candy, soda, lemonade, sports drinks, and energy drinks.
Try to steer your child toward some healthier options. Some of the foods that are best for your child’s teeth are calcium-rich foods, including cheese, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products. Calcium will help strengthen both the teeth and the jaw bones. Some other recommendations include foods that are high in fiber and those that require plenty of chewing. The act of chewing produces more saliva, which can wash away harmful sugar and acid in your child’s mouth.
Have Sealants Applied
The most common place for a child to get a cavity is in the chewing surfaces of his back teeth. The reason for this is that these surfaces have grooves in them that can trap food particles. Not only that, but these surfaces can be hard to clean. The solution to this problem is to have dental sealants applied on your child’s teeth. A dental sealant is a plastic resin that a kids’ dentist “paints” over these grooves in the back teeth to smooth them over. Sealants will keep food from getting trapped in the grooves of the teeth and it will also make your child’s teeth easier to clean.
Visit Your Waldorf, MD Pediatric Dentist
However, one of the best ways to prevent cavities is by coming to your local dentist twice a year for regular check-ups and cleanings. If you happen to be in search of pediatric dentistry in Waldorf, MD, you’ve come to the right place! To schedule an appointment with us, you can fill out our appointment request form or give us a call at (301) 645-3230. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about our pediatric dentistry services. We can’t wait to hear from you and help put your child on the path toward a lifetime of healthy teeth!