Tooth decay Is the most common childhood disease in the United States. Prevention Starts at birth. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood. Over 16 million U.S. children have untreated tooth decay, which equates to more than 25% of children between two and five years old and 50% of those between 12 and 15 years old.
(1)Tips to prevent tooth decay
a. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride-containing toothpaste. Preferably, brush after each meal and especially before going to bed.
b. Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners, Such as the Oral-B Interdental Brush,Reach Stim-U-Dent, or Sulcabrush.
c. Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacks. Avoid carbohydrates such as candy, pretzels and chips, which can remain on the tooth surface. If sticky foods are eaten, brush your teeth soon afterwards.
d. Check with your dentist about use of supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth.
e. Ask your dentist about dental sealants (a plastic protective coating) applied to the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars) to protect them from decay.
f. Drink fluoridated water. At least a pint of fluoridated water each day is needed to protect children from tooth decay.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and oral exam.
(2)What Causes Tooth Decay
We all have germs in our mouths — some good and some bad. The bad germs and bacteria cause cavities.
Germs and bacteria can be spread from parents/ caregivers to infants and toddlers through saliva.
(Do not share cups, eating utensils or food, and don't "clean off" pacifiers by putting them in your own mouth first.)
Sweet or high-carbohydrate foods or sweet drinks feed the germs that cause decay.
The germs make acids. The acids cause tooth decay. Tooth decay can be stopped if it is caught early.
Regular brushing with fluoridated toothpaste removes the germs. Fluoride helps stop the cavity-causing acids
Tooth decay can be stopped if it is caught and treated early.
The surgeon general calls tooth decay the single most common chronic childhood disease five times more common than asthma and seven times more than hay fever.
42% of kids age 8-13 say they are worried about getting cavities from eating too much halloween candy. Only 44% of US children brush their teeth twice a day.
(3)Tooth Decay baby tips
Don't put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or juice.
Start brushing when baby's first tooth comes in.
Use a smear (size of a grain of rice) of fluoride toothpaste.
Watch as your child brushes twice daily.
After age 3, use a pea-size amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Ask your baby's doctor about fluoride warnish.
Make sure your child brushes twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
Over-the-counter fluoride rinses are not recommended for kids under age 6. |
Your child should floss at least once a day.
Visit the pediatrician and dentist each year.
View Source to Continue Reading: The Advanced Guide To Prevent Tooth Decay (9 TOPICS)
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