For a long time, tooth decay has been associated more with adults than children, but it has now become one of many nightmares for parents. It has still remained a puzzle to many parents why tooth decay strikes children at very early ages, since it has become quite common to find children under the age of five years suffering from cavities.  

However, several scenarios describe why tooth decay has become such a common dental problem among children:

  • It is believed by many parents that as children’s teeth fall out during the early years, regular care and attention are not required. This is a wrong mentality, because the initial baby teeth prepare the way for the development of the permanent ones, and if a tooth in a child is lost too early there could be a drift of the one beside it in an attempt to occupy the empty space, which may be a cause of crooked or crowded teeth later on.
  • Most people assume that tooth decay is caused by bacteria in our mouths, and that if we maintain brushing and flossing, it will not occur. However, in children, this is not enough. We need to feed them on good nutrition with minerals and vitamins that will help fight the decay. Bear in mind that children are more prone because their enamel is still forming.
  • We are ignorant in monitoring our children’s dental health, and hence we are not able to detect any demineralization in their teeth. This demineralization gradually leads to tooth decay; thus it is crucial that you keep a close eye on what is happening in your child’s mouth from time to time.
  • Frequent contact of sugars from fruit juices, milk and formula in bottles and on soothers can result in “baby bottle tooth decay”, as the bacteria feed on the sugars, while in extreme cases it can progress to serious infections. To prevent this, substitute the sugary drinks with plain water or a pacifier with nothing on it.
  • The cleanliness we offer our children’s mouth is vital in the prevention of tooth decay; hence it is strongly advisable to use a wet cloth to wipe your child’s teeth and gums after feeding.
  • Sometimes we find ourselves sharing utensils with our children. This is not advisable, especially if we as adults do not maintain proper dental care. Tooth decay germs can be transferred to the children through those utensils, and research has shown that they may be able to spread tooth decay. So you should desist from the habit of sharing utensils

Finally and most importantly,  remember to visit a pediatric dentist for frequent check-ups of your child’s teeth and gums.

Contact a dentist or dental hygienist at Water Brook Dental in Washington DC for a dental check-up and other dental needs. Water Brook Dental has two locations in Washington DC. The Columbia Heights location is very  conveniently located to Downtown DC, Northeast DC, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U-Street Corridor, Mount Pleasant and many other parts of Washington. The Eastern Ave NW location is conveniently located to Downtown Silver Spring, Takoma Park MD, Silver Spring MD, Colesville, and other parts of Maryland as well as Northern Virginia and other parts of Virginia.