What are dental cavities?
Dental cavities (holes in teeth) are a result of dental plaque bacteria using sugars in the mouth to produce acids. These acids weaken the outer enamel causing the formation of cavities. Healthy diets that are low in processed sugars along with good dental habits can prevent cavities.
How often should I brush my child’s teeth?
Toothbrushing should be done by a responsible adult at least twice a day, brushing once in the morning and once at night. Your child should not eat or drink ( except water ) after the night brushing. Assist your child in brushing until they demonstrate good dexterity e.g. able to tie shoelaces, self-feeding with fork and knife.
What toothpaste should my child use?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends children under the age of 3 years use a smear/rice-grain amount of fluoride toothpaste while children above 3 years may use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Credit: JADA
Fluoride helps in strengthening teeth and can lower a child’s risk of cavities by 30 percent. However, we respect that some families have a preference for non-fluoride containing toothpastes. Please share this preference with us so that your child’s health advice may be customised accordingly.
Regular dental visits help prevent dental cavities
It is recommended to see a dentist every 6 months. Some children who are at a higher risk of developing dental problems may be advised to make the trip more frequently to aid in early detection of dental problems. Early dental decay can be reversed when spotted early!