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How to Prevent Early Childhood Tooth Decay

Posted on 4/26/2021 by Dr. Dani Stansell

Early childhood tooth decay or early childhood caries can completely erode the tooth enamel in its advanced stages. Children with early childhood caries feel pain and discomfort while biting and chewing their food. The appearance of decayed, brown, or black teeth affects the sweet, innocent smile of toddlers and children below the age of 5.

Moreover, the tooth decay in the advanced stages of early childhood caries is irreversible. No amount of expensive or time-consuming treatments can repair the damage that has been done to your child's baby teeth.

However, with proper care and precaution, you can prevent the onset of early childhood tooth decay. By following these few preventive measures mentioned below, you can protect your child's beautiful smile.

Regular Teeth Cleaning

You must make your child's oral hygiene a priority. When your child is less than 12 months old, you can use a clean and damp washcloth to gently wipe your baby's gums and mouth. Ince your child starts teething, and the first tooth appears, you can use a soft toothbrush for babies and a mild fluoride toothpaste to brush your baby's tooth.

Once your child is older than 12 months, you must brush your child's teeth at least twice a day to prevent bacteria from growing. Like adults, children too require 2 minutes of proper brushing on their teeth to clean food debris and stop bacterial growth.

Good Diet

Children need a balanced diet for the healthy growth of their teeth. Avoid giving sugary treats, acidic food, soft drinks, and hard foods like uncrushed nuts and rare cooked meat to your children as this will lead to enamel erosion. Give them soft, tender, well-mashed, healthy, home-cooked food so that they can easily chew it, and it is not acidic for their teeth.

Avoid Feeding Bottled Milk before Sleep

Do not use your children's milk bottles as pacifiers. Ensure that your children do not fall asleep with the milk bottles or feeders in their mouths. Sleeping while sucking on the milk bottle transfers the bacteria from the bottle to the mouth. These bacteria attack the teeth and produce acid. This acid erodes children's soft and sensitive tooth enamel and causes tooth decay. In case your child is persistent about taking the milk bottle or feeder to bed, fill it with fluoride water as this will keep your child's teeth healthy.

Regular Dental Checkups

You must take your children for a dental checkup before they turn 1. A pediatric dentist will examine your child's mouth, gums, and teeth to ensure that your child is not showing signs of early childhood tooth decay.

By following the simple guidelines mentioned above, you can prevent your child's teeth from early childhood tooth decay. Remember, oral care is the first step to a healthy life.

Locations & Hours

Brier Creek

9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204
Raleigh, NC 27617-4879

Phone: 984-477-0177
Fax: 919-249-1375

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

North Raleigh

1911 Falls Valley Drive, Ste 107
Raleigh, NC 27615

Phone: 984-206-4242
Fax: 919-249-2145

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 7:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Knightdale

1101 Great Falls Ct, Ste 102
Knightdale, NC 27545

Phone: 984-733-0330
Fax: 919-415-1849

Office Hours
Mon: 8:30am - 6:30pm
Tues: 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wed: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Thur: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Fri: 8:00am - 2:00pm

Stansell Dentistry Associates, 9400 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste 204, Raleigh, NC 27617-4879 • 984-477-0177 • stanselldentistry.com • 10/1/2024 • Page Keywords: dentist Raleigh NC •