The Truth About Your Child’s Tooth Decay

Did you know tooth decay is the most common childhood disease? According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, 3 out of 5 children are affected by tooth decay. This disease may seem insignificant to some parents, but Pediatric Dental Specialists urge you to take it seriously to avoid more severe oral health problems in the future. With tooth decay being 5 times more common than asthma, we decided to help educate parents more on how you can help your child regarding this matter.

HOW CAN YOU HELP YOUR CHILD?

Encourage good dental habits.
Be sure to practice and teach your children healthy dental habits that will last them a lifetime. Make sure you emphasize daily brushing and show your child how to brush with a soft-bristled brush. Daily flossing is another important factor. Flossing should begin as soon as teeth touch each other. Parents should help floss children’s teeth until they are at least eight years old.

Make flossing fun.
The trick to making flossing a habit is to make it fun for kids to do. Here is one way to do that:

1) Purchase a “flosser friend” at the nearest retail store. This is a fun and functional flossing tool that holds children’s floss and promotes healthy habits.

2) Fill the flosser keeper with fruity children’s floss.

3) Place the flosser keeper in an easily accessible location around the bathroom sink.

Cut down on sweets and sticky foods.
Sugary foods and drinks are the biggest culprits for causing tooth decay. Avoid extremely sugary snacks and candy that can stick to teeth and lead to plaque buildup.

Visit Pediatric Dental Specialists in Long Beach regularly.
Make sure you are bringing your child in for regular cleanings and check-ups. Children should be seen by a pediatric dentist for a checkup by age 1 and start regular clings at age 3.