Ways To Help Prevent Tooth Decay In Children

At Bozeman Gentle Dentistry, we are passionate about helping our patients of all ages prevent tooth decay. While our adult patients are more than capable of taking care of their oral hygiene on their own, we know that our younger patients often need a helping hand when caring for their teeth and learning healthy dental habits. If you are a parent of a young child or have a young child in your life, you know it can be a struggle to get them to understand the importance of brushing their teeth properly and caring for their oral health to prevent tooth decay from developing. We encourage you to teach your children the skills needed to properly care for their teeth as they get older.

Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most chronic conditions found in children. We want to share some tips on how to help your child or young loved one prevent tooth decay:

Create an Oral Hygiene Routine
Starting an oral hygiene routine at a young age will set your child up for success. It is not uncommon for young children to have difficulty cleaning their teeth properly. This is when parents provide assistance until their children are comfortable enough to clean their teeth correctly on their own.

Invest in Dental Sealants
One of the best investments you can make in your child’s oral health is dental sealants. Sealants are a simple treatment that is brushed on the chewing surface of the rear molars. They are designed to help fill in the deep grooves of the rear molars that can trap food and lead to decay.

Limit Sticky and Sugary Foods
Many children love gummies and other sticky and sugary foods. These foods may taste delicious, but they can remain trapped in the grooves of the teeth and lead to problems with decay.

Choose Water
You may be surprised to learn that juice can have just as much sugar as a soft drink. The next time you are in the supermarket, look at the amount of sugar in the juice. We encourage our young patients to limit juice and drink water. Diluting juice with water is also a great way to limit the extra sugar.

If you, your child, or another family member is due for a hygiene examination, contact our office, which is located in Bozeman, MT, to schedule an appointment. During the examination, we can check to make sure tooth decay is not present or developing. We look forward to seeing you soon!