Sometimes your child just gets cavities. You may have been the most well-organized parent supervising your child while he or she brushes their teeth every morning and every night. You may have even squeezed in post-lunch brushing on the weekends. Your child may have been the world's greatest brusher, going well-past his two minutes and reaching all the way to his back molars, like a champ.
But, it still happened. The dentist found another cavity. You both have to go back for another visit and another filling.
What happened? Unfortunately, some kids are just more susceptible to cavities, no matter how well or often they brush. It's just part of their DNA. There are a few tips you can try to fight back, however. You've got six months until the next cleaning. You can still turn this around if you try some (all?) of these tips.
Floss the Right Way.
Getting little hands to hold dental floss while reaching all the way to their back molars is tricky, but oh, so important. Teaching your child to floss may be harder than teaching them to ride a bike but, like riding a bike, flossing is a skill you will use your whole life. Not only does flossing cut down on the likelihood of cavities and keep your teeth healthy, it can keep the rest of you healthy as well.
Chew Gum.
Your child may not be able or willing to brush and floss after school lunch, but he can chew a piece of gum. Experts state that just five minutes of gum chewing is just as effective as mouthwash due to the saliva it produces.
Use Mouthwash.
Speaking of mouthwash, have your child use a kid-friendly version to swish any last bits of sugar, plaque, and bacteria off their teeth before bedtime. Make sure it is the last thing they do before bed. If they wear an orthodontic device at bedtime, have them swish mouthwash again before putting it on. The most important tip here is to remind them not to swallow.
Avoid Sugar.
While no parent wants their child to fill up on sugary snacks and soda pop, the reason the dentist may agree will surprise you. When we eat sugary products, the naturally-occurring, bad bacteria in our mouths rushes in to consume the sugar, leaving plaque as a by-product (gross). Try cutting out as many sugar-laden products as possible to see if it makes a difference at your next appointment.
Schedule Cleanings More Frequently.
No one says you can only get your teeth cleaned twice a year. Your dental insurance may only pay for two cleanings, but your hygienist does not limit the number of times you can visit. Talk to the office manager at your dental office and ask if they offered reduced rates for services where you are paying out-of-pocket. If it is within your budget, try to schedule cleanings every three to four months for your child, that extra cleaning or two they get could make the difference.
Try one or all of the above in your battle against. Contact a dental clinic for more help.
Share18 December 2018
I have always brushed and flossed my teeth daily, but I still had the occasional cavity when I visited the dentist for a check-up. He told me it was normal to have a cavity on occasion and that I shouldn't let it stress me out too much. Well, I am not one to just accept any problem I am having, so I started looking into how to improve my oral hygiene even more. I had always thought mouthwash was just to improve your breath, but I found some that said they helped keep cavities away. I started using one every day before bed. I haven't had a cavity in two years now, and I think the mouth rinse is the reason! I created this blog to remind other people that even if they brush and floss regularly, they can always find ways to take even better care of their teeth.
