preventing cavities

The school year demands a lot of time commitments from both students and parents. Between altering morning commutes, trucking kids to and from extracurricular activities and unexpected overnights, schedules change and time seems to slip away. Sometimes, a jam-packed schedule can leave us with less time to take care of our teeth at home, which is why we’ve decided to create the tooth travel kit for those kids (and parents) with demanding schedules.

Toothbrush

This one is a no-brainer, but everyone should be brushing their teeth twice per day for two minutes at a time. Buy your child a new toothbrush with the ADA seal of approval on the package. Additionally, buy a small travel case or cover for the toothbrush to keep the head clean and the bristles in good shape.

Tooth Paste

You can’t really brush your teeth without toothpaste, so toothpaste is a must for any oral health care kit! Look for a travel-sized tube that can easily fit in a small storage bag, and check to make sure that the toothpaste contains fluoride to enhance its cleaning power. Again, look for the ADA seal of approval to ensure that it has been thoroughly evaluated, and find a flavor that your child likes.

Floss

Brushing only cleans about 1/3 of the total surface area of teeth which leaves most of the teeth unclean! Your child should floss once per day, and clean between every space in their teeth. Your tooth travel kit should contain a small pack of travel floss for them, or a set of floss picks to encourage them to regularly floss.

Xylitol Gum

Chewing gum that is sweetened with Xylitol is a great way for your child to freshen their breath and help protect their enamel after a meal. Gum sweetened with Xylitol can help protect enamel by stimulating saliva production that can clear teeth of residual acid from a recent meal.

Bottled Water

Water is one of the best tools we have in keeping our mouths clean, especially fluoridated water, which helps make teeth more resistant to acidic foods. When packing your child’s tooth travel kit, pack a bottle of water, and encourage your kids to drink water instead of juice or soda. Also, swishing water helps remove debris caught in teeth that can lead to enamel loss and acid buildup.

Visit Our Office

We love helping busy parents find solutions that keep their families’ oral health in focus. Schedule an appointment in our office so that we can thoroughly evaluate your child’s smile, and provide them with oral health tips and treatment options that work.

Seeing your child smile makes your day -- and you know what? It makes our day, too. That’s why All Kids Pediatric Dentistry is your trusted Charlotte dentist. Dr. Marcela Mujica, D.M.D, M.S.D. and her whole team want to keep your child smiling now, and for many years to come -- and to do that, we need to protect their young teeth from decay. That’s especially important during the halloween and holiday season. Listen up -- this morning, Dr. Mujica is in with some key tips for preventing cavities this month, and all year long!

Your Child’s Oral Health A Factor in Overall Health, Too

When your child has a healthy mouth, free from infection and decay, he is far more likely to be healthier overall. Poor oral health contributes to a number of problems in young children -- from malnutrition to loss of sleep and a higher risk of future orthodontic issues. To prevent cavities and other oral problems, keep the following tips in mind.

#1: Monitor Her Cleaning Techniques

Once your child reaches age six, she should be ready to start brushing her teeth on her own. That doesn’t mean it’s time for you to step down, though -- Dr. Mujica says it’s just as important for you to be beside her as she brushes, making sure each quadrant of the mouth gets a full clean. Emphasize the importance of brushing for two minutes, twice a day, and flossing once a day.

#2: Set Some House Rules

Your child’s teeth are especially vulnerable during the halloween and holiday season, when candy and special treats are all around. It’s important to establish some rules to prevent frequent snacking at home -- one good one is banning candy in the bedroom. When treats are relegated to a specific area, like the kitchen, little ones are far less likely to indulge all day long or fall asleep with candy in their mouth, a huge cause of tooth decay in kids.

#3: And Some Lifestyle Rules, Too

Help your child understand that eating a healthy, balanced diet is good for their teeth, too. Halloween can be a great time to talk about this, says Dr. Mujica. Let them know you understand it’s exciting to have lots of candy, but that moderation is key. Encourage them to rinse their mouth out after eating or drinking sugary items, too. If they do it often enough it’ll become a clean feeling they’ll crave -- and their teeth will be healthier as a result.

#4: Set the Example They Need

Your child looks up to you for everything, and it’s no different with their oral health. Make sure you’re setting an excellent oral hygiene example by brushing and flossing consistently, and staying on top of your twice annual visits to the dentist. Talk positively about the dentist and oral health, and if your child dreads oral hygiene tasks, you can try making them a family event -- she’ll be far more excited to brush and floss if everyone is doing it at the same time.

Schedule a Post-Halloween, Pre-Holiday Checkup Today

If it’s been six months or more since your child’s last dental checkup and cleaning, schedule an appointment at All Kids Pediatric Dentistry today. Good oral hygiene is especially important this time of year, so make sure your child is starting the holiday season off cavity-free with a visit to the dentist in Charlotte -- we’ll work to help their teeth stay healthy today, and for years to come. Call us to schedule your child’s dental appointment today.