If there was a simple solution for avoiding cavities, we would have solved the problem long ago. It seems so straight forward: brush your teeth, don’t eat too much sugar. Yet, dentists and scientists all over the world still struggle to find that magic formula that makes for certain that a person doesn’t get cavities.
Despite this, we see strong patterns in our patients that greatly affect the likelihood that the children get cavities. I’m going to highlight some of the most common problems at different age groups, with a hope that maybe it will help some readers avoid caries in their kids.
First teeth:
Continued infant feeding patterns after teeth erupt
Using carbohydrate containing liquids for emotional soothing or to fall asleep
Ie milks, juices, etc
While common for infants to eat when stressed or to sleep, these behaviors can quickly decay teeth.
Toddler—Elementary School age:
Flossing, flossing, flossing!!! Kids in this age group have broad, flat contacts between their teeth, which can decay very quickly if not cleaned with floss.
Frequent snacks high in carbohydrate—carbohydrates fuel the cavity causing bacteria
Brushing independently before they have the skills to really clean the teeth
Just because it looks like brushing, doesn’t mean the teeth are getting adequately cleaned.
Middle/High School age:
Frequent consumption of teas, energy drinks, sodas (Even version without sugar have a lot of acid)
Brushing in the mornings only—many kids get tired and go to bed without brushing, leaving the day’s buildup to decay overnight.
Not flossing—cavities in the contact areas between the teeth are the most common cavities in this age group.
While avoiding these high risk behaviors will not guarantee that a child doesn’t get cavities, when combined with consistent professional cleanings and fluoride treatments, it greatly reducing the risk of dental disease.
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