Kids Teeth and Cavity Protection

Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic in Bayside Medical Centre, we believe that prevention is key for children’s oral health. Teaching kids’ proper oral hygiene and a healthy diet can prevent them from developing cavities or other dental problems in the future.

Cavities form when plaque builds up on the enamel of the teeth. The bacteria in plaque and in the mouth then join together to create acid which will then attack the enamel. The enamel is the hard outer layer of the tooth which protects the dentine. Once the enamel is attacked it starts to demineralise and wear down. A hole known as a cavity will then occur. This cavity will usually need to be treated with a filling to prevent it going deeper and affecting the dentine. Once it gets to the dentine, pain may occur as there is little pours which go through to the nerve. Once the nerve is exposed it can lead to needing a root canal treatment which is why it is important to catch cavities early in kids. Using fluoride products from a young age can make the enamel of the tooth stronger. Brushing twice a day and coming for regular check-ups here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic can help catch cavities early or give information about how to stops them. A healthy diet can help with oral health.

Fluoride is one of the best ways to protect your child’s teeth from cavities. As soon as kids are old enough to be able to spit, they should be using a toothpaste which contains fluoride when they brush their teeth twice a day. Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic, we also provide fluoride application for extra protection for your little one’s teeth. In Ireland our water has fluoride in it as a way of promoting good oral health. Fluoride is completely safe, but too much of it swallowed as a kid can sometimes cause little white patches on the teeth which are not harmful. You can talk to one of our friendly dentists here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic to see how much fluoride is recommended for your child.

It is important that children brush their teeth correctly which is why we recommend parents helping them until they are about 8 or 9 years old. If children brush their teeth on their own it is a good idea for the parent to brush them a second time to ensure that there is no trapped food that could cause plaque to build up. Children should start seeing the dentist from around the age of 2 years old. This will get them used to the dentist chair and will prevent any dental phobias in the future.

One of the easiest ways of protecting your child’s teeth from cavities is to practice healthy eating and ensure they’re getting the right nutrients in their diet. Avoid or limit the amount of sugary or starchy foods they consume. Cut up fruit and vegetables can be great snacks for good oral health. Encouraging brushing after meals can help them to bring this habit into adulthood.

Good oral hygiene and a healthy diet will protect your child’s teeth from cavities throughout their life. If you would like any further information on cavity prevention please contact Smile Hub Dental Clinic on 01 5253 888 or book online.