Each child has their own sensitivity to developing cavities, so while some children never seem to have this problem, others have it more regularly. However, there are some simple precautions that can reduce the appearance of cavities:
- Brush your teeth 2 times a day, and 30 minutes after consuming very sweet foods; Pass the floss between your teeth whenever you brush; Decrease sugar consumption, making a healthy and balanced diet; Use fluoride pastes properly. See what the recommended amounts are for each age; Go to regular dentist appointments at least 2 times a year.
This care must be maintained even in children who have never had cavities, as they guarantee correct dental health, avoiding problems with teeth and gums in adolescence and adulthood.
In addition, it is also important to pay attention to the formation of bacterial plaque on the teeth, which is the appearance of a yellowish mass in the union between the teeth and the gums. Generally, this mass means that bacteria are accumulating on the tooth and, although caries has not yet appeared, it is possible that it will develop in a short time. If it does, the plaque must be removed at the dentist. See more about plaque and how to avoid it.
When to start brushing your teeth
Teeth should be brushed from the first moment they emerge, even if they are milk, as their health guarantees a better development of permanent teeth.
Initially, when the child is still unable to spit, you should brush your teeth only with water, but when you already know how to spit, it is recommended to start using children's toothpaste with 500 ppm of fluoride, at least until the age of 6 years. age. After that age, the paste can be the same as the adult with 1000 to 1500 ppm of fluoride.
A good tip to encourage the child to brush their teeth is to show the formation of plaque on their teeth, if this is happening, and explain that it is formed by bacteria that "eat" and destroy their teeth.
How to eat sweets without cavities
It is very important to avoid frequent consumption of sweet foods, as the high amount of sugar in the composition of most of these foods facilitates the development of plaque, increasing the risk of cavities.
However, as it is very difficult to prevent children from eating sugar, there are some tips that guarantee a more "safe" consumption of sweet foods for teeth:
- Do not make it a habit to eat a candy every day; Avoid sugar consumption before bed, at least until 30 minutes before brushing your teeth; Chew a sugarless gum after eating a candy, to help in the formation of saliva for cleaning your teeth; prefer sweets with less sugar, for example avoiding cakes covered with caramel, which can stick to your teeth.
In addition, regular visits to the dentist also help to eliminate all plaque, preventing the appearance of cavities.
