Why Does My Child Keep Getting Cavities?

Cavities are the most common dental issue. Sometimes your child might get multiple cavities, and you want to prevent this from happening again in the future. Healthy teeth mean less money and time spent on correcting dental issues. Let’s discuss common reasons why your child keeps getting cavities.

Not Brushing or Flossing Correctly

Everyone should brush their teeth twice a day for at least two minutes and floss daily. If your kids skip basic dental hygiene, it can cause tooth decay. Sometimes younger children don’t like dental hygiene, so it’s important to make it fun for them. Try singing a song, doing a dental hygiene routine with them, and give them praise for taking care of their teeth. Older kids many have the dexterity to brush and floss on their own but they still need to be monitored. It’s very common for preteens and teens to be somewhat lazy or careless when it comes to their dental hygiene routine.

Eating or Drinking Too Much Sugar

Diet can have a huge impact on your dental health. If your child is drinking sugary liquids or having sweet or starchy snacks between meals, this could be causing cavities. Sugary foods stay on a person’s teeth and give the acids that break them down more time to wear down the enamel. Try altering your child’s diet to less sugar to help with cavity prevention. Drinking more water is also helpful since it washes away some of the sugar and bacteria.

Misaligned Teeth

Crooked or crowded teeth can make it harder to brush and floss thoroughly. Plaque and other bacteria can get stuck in hard-to-reach places. If you miss those spots, then it’s a perfect area for bacteria to breed and cause cavities. While careful brushing and flossing could fix the issue, you may want to consider orthodontics to straighten your child’s teeth. Tots to Teens Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics offers numerous types of braces and clear aligners for children, teens and adults. Straight teeth are easier to clean and maintain.

Not Visiting the Dentist Often Enough

It’s highly recommended to visit your dentist every six months for a routine exam and dental cleaning. The exam will help spot problems early on, and dental cleaning will remove plaque from your teeth. If you skip dental appointments, you may be putting your child at risk of having more serious dental issues than cavities.

How Can I Prevent My Child From Getting Cavities?

Besides an effective dental hygiene routine, a healthy diet, and regular dental visits, you may also want to ask about getting dental sealants as extra protection against cavities. Dental sealants are a flowable plastic material that bonds to teeth and gives them a smooth layer to protect against bacteria and germs. If you’re interested in getting your child dental sealants, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

Comprehensive Pediatric Care at Tots to Teens

Our pediatric dental office on Culebra Road in San Antonio was designed with kids in mind. We have amenities kids love and the convenience that parents love. Come see us for all of your pediatric dental needs.

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Categorised in: Cavity Prevention, Flossing, Preventive Dental Care