Tooth decay is one of the biggest health threats for young children who may not know how to defend themselves against it. To help your child protect their smile, here are three ways pediatric dentists recommend preventing cavities.

3 Cavity-Prevention Tips for Kids

1. Teach Proper Dental Hygiene

Since cavities form as a result of food particles stuck on teeth feeding oral bacteria, teach your kids how to brush and floss their teeth efficiently. They need to brush in the morning and at night for two minutes. When they’re first learning, make sure they’re not brushing too hard, which can wear down enamel. For small hands, flossing with string might be difficult, so invest in child-sized flossing picks that your little one can use to clean between their teeth. Schedule visits with their pediatric dentist twice a year to have their smiles deep-cleaned.

2. Encourage a Healthy Diet 

Infusing your child’s diet with tooth-healthy ingredients will improve their dental hygiene. Crunchy foods like apples help brush away food particles, and dairy-based items like cheese can prevent cavities by increasing saliva production and protecting teeth from acid. 

3. Have Sealants Applied

Clear dental sealants are commonly applied to molars, which often accumulate the most plaque since they’re hard to reach. In studies, sealants were shown to prevent 80% of cavities in molars for two years and about 50% of cavities for four years. 

Improving your child’s dental health starts with a trip to Pedodontic Associates. With three convenient locations on Oahu and Maui, these experienced pediatric dentists have over 25 years of experience to help your child with everything from preventative checkups and sealants to dental emergencies. Visit their website to learn more about their services. Make an appointment with a pediatric dentist by calling the Honolulu office at (808) 735-1733, Aiea at (808) 487-7933, or Kahului at (808) 877-0066.