Cavities can be painful and frustrating for children. As a parent, there are many things you can do to help your child avoid cavities. By practicing good oral hygiene at home and taking your child to the dentist in Bellbrook, OH on a regular basis, you take steps to protect your child from cavities. Here’s what we recommend that parents do to help their children keep their teeth cavity free.

1. Focus on Good Oral Hygiene At Home

Your children need to practice good oral hygiene at home, just like you. Remember that some children are too young to brush their teeth on their own. Children younger than about 7 or 8 years old need their parents to brush their teeth for them, to ensure their teeth get properly cleaned. If your child asks to brush their teeth on their own, you can accommodate them by allowing them to brush their teeth first. You’ll brush their teeth after to “give them an extra polish.”

Your child has a hard time waiting patiently while you brush? Show them a video on your phone while brushing takes place.

Once your child is old enough to brush their teeth on their own, monitor their tooth brushing habits to ensure they’re brushing their teeth every night. Don’t forget flossing! Flossing should happen once per day. Replace your child’s toothbrush once every three months.

2. Bring Your Child to the Dentist Regularly

Whether the dentist is recommending that you bring your child in for appointments annually or twice annually, it’s important to follow the dentist’s recommendation. During dental appointments, your child will have their teeth professionally cleaned. This is also the dentist’s chance to catch any problems that might be manifesting in your child’s mouth. Catching problems in their early stages can help your child avoid cavities.

3. Provide Sugarless Snacks

Every kid loves snacks. Provide your child with sugarless snacks to protect their teeth while they eat. Peanut butter and crackers, cheese cubes, nuts and boiled eggs are all good examples of filling, healthy snacks that can keep your child’s stomach full while also protecting your child’s teeth from sugar.

4. Use Dental Sealants

The next time you come in to the family dentistry practice in Bellbrook, OH, talk to the dentist at Bellbrook Family Dentistry about getting dental sealants on your child’s teeth. Dental sealants are a fantastic tool for preventing tooth decay.