Many parents are taken by surprise when they discover their young children have a cavity. In the last several years, dental decay has increased steadily, particularly in children between the ages of 2 to 5. There are many factors contributing to this trend. Children’s diets have much more fermentable sugars than years past. Processed fruit juice, fruit snacks and other quick snack foods have high concentrations of sugar and starch. Bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as fuel to make acids that break down the enamel, causing a cavity. Because of more snacking, children drink less tap water and milk that contain enamel-strengthening minerals.
To prevent decay in your child’s teeth here are some helpful suggestions:
- Never put a baby to bed with a bottle with anything other than water
- Switch from bottle/breast to cup around their first birthday
- Don’t share utensils with your child (cavity causing bacteria are spread from parent to child)
- Avoid overuse of sippy cups due to prolonged exposure to sweets
- Help your child brush/floss their teeth until about 6-7 years of age
- Start regular annual dental visits by the age 1 to 3, then increase to every 6 months after that.
- Another common concern is why baby teeth with cavities need to be filled when they will be falling out. Baby teeth hold and preserve the space for permanent teeth. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the potential space can be lost and lead to crowded permanent teeth. Many baby teeth do not shed and become replaced by a permanent tooth until a child is between 9-12 years of age. Not treating active decay could become a major source of discomfort for a child.
Dr. Stoffel encourages you to bring your child in for check-ups by or around their first birthday. Dr. Stoffel and staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have about your child’s teeth and offer suggestions and guidance for helping to keep them healthy.