Tooth decay (tooth cavities) is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. The good news is that there are ways to prevent them.

Even the smallest tooth can get cavities. There are habits you can incorporate right away to keep your baby’s teeth healthy. And when that first tooth appears, there are ways your pediatrician can keep you healthy, too. This is what you should know.

Who can get tooth decay?

Everyone, even babies, can get tooth decay or cavities. There are reasons why a child could be at high risk.

• The child’s mother or primary caregiver had cavities in the previous 12 months or does not have access to a regular source of dental care.
• The child’s teeth have white spots. These stains are a sign that the tooth is losing calcium and minerals that keep it strong.
• Your teeth have brown, brown, or black spots, or you may see gaps (holes) in them. This is a sign that cavities are developing in the tooth.

How water helps
Fortunately, the drinking water your family consumes probably has added fluoride. Fluoride is a safe and useful ingredient to fight cavities that have been added to drinking water since 1945.

Fluoride is a natural mineral that can slow down or prevent cavities. When you drink water every day, fluoride makes it difficult for the bacteria in your mouth to produce acid. Fluoride also rebuilds tooth enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and even strengthens teeth.

Check with your local water supply agency to find out if your water has fluoride in it. The health benefits work when your drinking water has 0.7 mg / L of fluoride. If your community water supply is devoid of fluoride or if you draw from a private well, ask your doctor if you should get a prescription for fluoride drops or chewable tablets for your child.

Fluoride toothpaste
As soon as your child’s first tooth comes in, it’s time to start using fluoride toothpaste. You should do it as follows:

• Use a very small amount — the size of a grain of rice — up to 3 years. Clean your teeth at least twice a day. It is best to clean them immediately after breakfast and before bedtime.
• When your child is 3 years old, use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. Teach your child to spit without rinsing.
  It is best for you to put the toothpaste on the toothbrush until your child is about 6 years old.
• As your child grows, let him use his own toothbrush. Until children are 7 or 8 years old, you will need to help them brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes. Try brushing their teeth first and then letting them finish.

Do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle at night or at nap time. It is also not a good idea to let your baby drink a bottle filled with a sweet drink or dip your baby’s pacifier in something sweet, like sugar or honey. If you sleep your baby with a bottle, fill it only with water. You can give your baby about 4 to 8 ounces of water per day from about 6 months of age. (Remember that the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] recommends breast milk as the only source of nutrition for your baby for about 6 months).

Special steps to stop cavities

When your baby is 6 months old, your pediatrician will begin oral health checkups and fluoride varnish. Pediatricians are trained to apply fluoride varnish because many young children do not visit the dentist or do not have access to one until they are older. All babies and children should have fluoride varnish applied every 6 months until they are 5 years old. Children may need an application every 3 months if they are at higher risk for cavities.

Varnish is used to help prevent or slow down tooth decay & cavities. The top and sides of each tooth are painted with it and quickly hardened. The process is safe and painless.

It is included in your plan
Fluoride varnish (fluoride) is a “preventive care service” for children. This means that all public and private health insurance plans must cover fluoride varnish. Patients or families should not share any part of the cost.

Remember
Oral health starts early. Be prepared to discuss your family plan for a “dental home.” All children need access to a dentist for regular care. Visit your child’s dentist on their first birthday or within six months of departure your first tooth. At this first visit, your dentist can easily check your child’s teeth and determine the frequency of future dental check-ups.

Source
American Academy of Pediatrics (Copyright © 2020)
The information on this website should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice and care of your pediatrician. There can be many variations in the treatment that your pediatrician might recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.