Some young children don’t understand the importance of brushing and flossing, and this may cause them to develop poor hygiene habits. Cavities and dental issues can lead to problems when permanent teeth come through. If your child’s dentist detected cavities in your little one’s mouth, there are a few steps you can take to ensure another one doesn’t develop.

How to Prevent Cavities in Kids

1. Make Regular Appointments

For the most effective dental protection, your child should start seeing a pediatric dentist before they turn one and have regular checkups every six months. Routine appointments help the dentist spot warning signs early, allowing you to take preventative measures, like using a different toothpaste, to prevent cavities from developing or getting worse.

2. Use Fluoride

Fluoride is added to toothpaste to reverse early decay, strengthen enamel, and prevent cavities. Although children can use fluoride toothpaste as soon as their teeth come through, it’s recommended that parents brush their kids’ teeth until they’re six-years-old as swallowing fluoride in large amounts can be toxic.

3. Cut Back on Sugar

Although sugar doesn’t cause tooth decay, the bacteria that sticks to and feeds off of it does. As the bacteria multiply, they’ll produce acid that will eat away and destroy the protective tooth enamel, creating a cavity. Don’t put sugary sports drinks or candies in your kids’ lunchboxes. Fruit and starches also contain sugar, so be wary of serving your kids too much of these foods, too.

Every six months, you should take your children to the team of dentists at Keiki Dental in Ewa Beach, HI, to monitor their oral health. Led by Dr. Yongsok Do, DMD, these professionals strive to ensure their young patients feel comfortable, and their waiting room features toys, books, and lively murals. Learn more about their services online, call (808) 680-9411 to schedule an appointment, or read the latest patient reviews on Yelp.