Young children can develop cavities (dental caries) in their primary teeth, so it’s very important to take steps to reduce the chances of this happening. During your regular appointments, Dr. William Chan and Dr. Denise Goodman, our extensively trained pediatric dentists, can recommend a number of tips to help keep young mouths clean, healthy, and happy
Baby bottle tooth decay is a common concern, and this can happen when you let your little one go to sleep with a bottle. Milk has sugars in it that can eat away at the tooth’s structure. Only give your children water before bed, no milk, juice, or other liquids.
Children should also avoid sweets and sugary foods as much as possible. Try not to let a child suck on a hard candy for long periods, as the longer the sugar is in the mouth the more time the bacteria has to develop plaque.
Daily brushing will also help clean the teeth and remove plaque that has started to develop. Flossing should be started when teeth begin sitting close together, usually between the ages of 2 and 6.
Bring your child in for his or her first dental checkup by age 1. This allows your child to become comfortable with the dentist and help us to manage the care and health of your little one’s oral structures.
For more information on how to prevent cavities and promote good oral hygiene, please reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable team.