Preventing Cavities In Kids & Teens
If you want to make sure your children have healthy teeth as adults, you’ll need to teach them proper dental hygiene when they are still young. Cavities are a common disease in many kids, but there are ways to prevent them and instil proper dental hygiene habits from an early age. Starting your child off with the right tools and methods to keep their teeth healthy will ensure they have fewer dental problems as adults and experience fewer cavities and gum issues throughout their lives.
If you notice your child is experiencing pain or discomfort in their teeth or gums, you can also make an appointment with a dentist at any of our dental clinics islandwide across Singapore. Our team of dental specialists and surgeons are equipped to address any of your dental needs.
Here are some tips that can help ensure your children have good dental hygiene as well as healthy teeth and gums:
1. Bring them for regular dental checkups
It’s best to have your child’s teeth looked at regularly by a professional. At FDC, our dentists can carry out Caries Risk Assessments to help identify the level of risk for cavity development and other oral health diseases in your infant, child, or adolescents. Our dentist can then recommend a suitable treatment plan or other options such as orthodontics, diet counselling, or professional fluoride therapies. Call us today to find out more about our dental services for kids in Singapore.
2. Teach proper brushing techniques
The way children brush their teeth matters, and it’s up to adults to teach our kids about proper brushing techniques. Brushing should be done in circular motions over the surface of each tooth. Make sure they are also brushing along the gum line in order to dislodge food debris, and not applying too much or too little pressure.
The best way you can teach them is leading by example. You can also make an appointment with our dentists in Singapore to ensure they’re brushing correctly, or get in touch with our dentist via teleconsultancy.
3. Create a habit of brushing regularly
It’s important for children and teens to know how often they should brush their teeth. It’s best to brush twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. This can easily become part of your child’s routine and should be encouraged by the parents. Sticking to a routine will make it easy for them to remember to brush and ensure they are removing bacteria and food particles from their teeth.
Other elements such as fun timers to countdown the amount of time required for brushing can make the experience more enjoyable, especially for young toddlers who may be resistant to this new routine at first.
Parents should start brushing their children’s teeth as soon as the first tooth erupted.
Adult (fluoridated) toothpaste can be introduced to children from 2 years old with the amount of pea size.
Mouthwash can be introduced as soon as the child can learn to gargle and spit.
4. Introduce mouthwash into their dental hygiene routine
Mouthwash can help prevent cavities and freshen breath, and some types of mouthwash are explicitly designed for the prevention of cavities. With many alcohol-free or gentle mouthwash options available today, even young children can safely and comfortably use mouthwash to enhance their dental hygiene.
5. Avoid certain foods that can cause cavities
There are certain foods and drinks that are more likely to cause tooth decay and cavities. If your kids do eat or drink something that contains a lot of sugar that can harm teeth, make sure that they brush right after. Parents should also discourage children from eating or drinking right before going to bed or after brushing their teeth.
If your child chips a tooth while eating, you can make an appointment with us.
6. Ensure they are flossing regularly
Cavities can also occur in between teeth, and it can be hard to reach these places with regular brushing. Be sure to teach your children and teens about flossing and why it’s important. Demonstrate the proper closing technique so they know how to do it properly. You can also try waterpiks, as they are similar to floss and provide the same results with a little more comfort. If your children are very young, they may not be able to floss properly on their own. In this case, you can do it for them until they are old enough to do it themselves.
Keep your children’s teeth healthy with Family Dental Centre
If you’re worried about your child getting cavities or having tooth decay, it’s best to start them out right by teaching them about the importance of good oral hygiene and proper brushing. Be sure to consider the above tips and suggestions when working with your child to ensure they are brushing and caring for their teeth properly.
Give us a call today or book an appointment at any one of our clinics islandwide across Singapore to visit our nearest toddler and children’s dental clinic near you.
Article is written by Dr Marzali Abdul Majid, Dental Surgeon of Family Dental Centre
