Sugar and Kids Teeth
One of the best ways to keep your kid’s teeth healthy is to limit their teeth’s exposure to sugar. However, this doesn’t mean that kids can’t eat sweet food or drink sweet beverages; you just need to make sure that they do this in moderation and that they clean their mouths thoroughly afterwards.
Sugar and Teeth: What Does Sugar Do to Teeth?
Sugar is considered to be one of the leading causes of tooth decay. However, it’s not exactly the sugar itself that causes teeth to decay.
There are different types of bacteria living in our mouths. When we eat or drink anything with sugar, a type of bacteria in our mouths will feed on that sugar, which leads to plaque buildup. If we let that plaque stick to our teeth for a long time, it becomes acidic. When this happens too many times, cavities start to appear.
Where Does Sugar Hide?
Sugar itself does not actually hide on the surfaces of your child’s teeth. The bacteria in their mouth will turn the sugars into plaque, which can damage their teeth. To prevent this from happening, make sure that your child practices good oral hygiene at all times. Brushing twice a day and flossing regularly will prevent plaque buildup and protect your kid’s teeth from cavities and early tooth decay.
How Can You Change Your Child’s Habits for Better Oral Health?
We’ve all been children before, so we all know how difficult it is to resist eating candy and other sweet treats. However, due to its negative effects on oral health, it’s important that your child cleans their mouth thoroughly after consuming sugar. By doing this, they can limit the accumulation of plague, allowing them to have better oral health.
To maintain good oral hygiene, your child should have a clear dental care routine. Ensure that they…
Brush Their Teeth at Least Twice a Day
Make sure that your kids are brushing their teeth at least twice a day. Fluoride toothpaste can greatly help in the fight against cavities and tooth decay.
Make sure you teach them also how to brush their teeth properly and thoroughly. You can teach them this yourself or show them a thorough YouTube video if you’re not sure how to explain it.
Don’t Forget to Floss
While brushing is important, it is not always enough. The bristles of a toothbrush can’t always reach the surfaces between your child’s teeth. To ensure that they remove all of the bacteria and plaque that accumulate on those hidden surfaces, ensure that your child flosses their teeth daily.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking water doesn’t just keep your child hydrated, it also helps maintain excellent oral health. Water can dilute or rinse away cavity-producing bacteria before it forms plaque. Drinking plenty of water also helps your child’s body produce more saliva, which is their mouth’s natural defense against plaque acids.
Visit A Dentist Regularly
Excellent oral hygiene doesn’t stop at home. You need to ensure your kids have regular appointments with a professional dentist, which we recommend scheduling every six months. With regular check-ins, a dentist can thoroughly check for any early signs of tooth decay and other oral problems. This helps prevent suffering from serious dental issues and offers plenty of learning moments for your kids to understand oral hygiene.
The Importance of Dental Hygiene and Regular Checkups
Dental hygiene is important as it helps prevent your child from developing tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral problems – include those associated with sugar consumption. Proper oral hygiene allows your kids to have strong and healthy teeth and avoid bacterial infections in their mouths.
Aside from practicing good oral hygiene at home, your kid should also have regular dental checkups. Since early signs of tooth decay can only be caught by dental professionals, it’s important that they are seen regularly to treat cavities and other dental issues as early as possible. That way, your child won’t suffer from serious oral health problems.
If you’re looking for a trusted pediatric dentistry clinic around the Sunnyvale area, then you should schedule a consultation with Bay Area Orthodontics. We have a team of board-certified professionals who will be happy to provide your kids with full pediatric dental services.
Reach out through our contact form under the locations menu or call us at 408-736-3500 to get a complimentary orthodontic consultation