It’s never too early to begin proper oral healthcare habits. After all, good preventive care measures can prevent the vast majority of common dental ailments. At Pier Dental Centre, we love educating families about caring for their teeth and establishing healthy dental habits. Today, we will discuss tips to prevent cavities for kids, as well as why cavities in baby teeth shouldn’t be ignored.
How to Prevent Cavities in Baby Teeth
Cavity prevention for baby teeth is much the same as in permanent teeth: limit sugar intake, practice good oral hygiene at home, drink plenty of water, chew only sugar-free gum, and visit our office regularly for cleanings and exams. While it is fine if your child occasionally consumes a sweet treat or a soda, remember that a diet high in sugar will increase their risk of developing cavities, in addition to other health complications. You should also make sure your child is brushing and flossing their teeth every day at home. Depending on their age, you may need to assist or supervise them to ensure that they are using proper technique.
What Happens If My Child Gets a Cavity?
If your child does develop a cavity, our team will work together to create a treatment plan. Depending on the scope and location of the cavity, we will clean out the damaged area and then use either a filling or a crown to protect the tooth from further damage. But if left untreated, cavities in baby teeth can lead to infection and tooth loss. Because baby teeth act as placeholders and guides for permanent teeth, their premature loss can negatively impact your child’s oral development, future bite alignment, ability to eat, and/or their speech.
Schedule Your Child’s Dental Visit!
At Pier Dental Centre in North Vancouver, we work hard to empower each of our patients, no matter their age, with the information and tools they need to achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Contact us to ask our team any questions about caring for baby teeth or treating cavities, or to schedule your child’s next checkup.
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