It’s that time of year again! Easter is right around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about how to keep your family’s teeth clean and healthy during this time of chocolatey indulgence. Keep reading to discover how to help stave off cavities in your child’s baby teeth and the best way to limit sugar during the Easter break.
What’s a Sugar Bug?
Sugar bugs, mouth monsters, tooth terrors – every parent’s nightmare. If your child is eating too many sweet treats and not upholding a good oral hygiene routine at home, this spells a recipe for disaster in the form of cavities.
When sugar is left on the surface of the teeth – from sweets, milk, or fruits – harmful bacteria that normally live in the mouth convert this debris into acid. The combination of bacteria, plaque and food debris starts forming calculus (or tartar), a sticky substance that is hard to remove. Over time, the calculus will eat away at the tooth’s enamel, causing cavities. That’s why it is super important to limit the amount of sugar exposure on your child’s teeth and know how to properly clean their teeth to remove any cavity-causing food debris.
How to Stop your Child from Getting Cavities
The family dentists here at Lister House in Essex have a few helpful tips and tricks to help you keep your child smiling throughout easter and beyond!
- One of the best ways to reduce harmful acid levels on your child’s enamel is to limit snacking between meals. This means the optimal time to let your child crack open those eggs is during lunch or dinner! And you can even buy sugar-free options at the shops, which are an excellent alternative for limiting sugar intake.
- Brush twice daily for two minutes each time – in the morning and at night before bedtime. Using fluoride toothpaste will help with cavity protection. If your child doesn’t like brushing their teeth, we recommend turning it into a game or fun activity through interactive online resources such as Brush DJ or with a brushing chart like this!
- Flossing removes food particles between teeth, which can build up over time if not dealt with. If you or your child need help understanding the best way to floss and get rid of those nasty sugar bugs, contact your local dentist at Lister House!
- Ensure regular visits to our child’s Lister House dentist in Harlowfor routine check-ups and hygiene appointments. Our family-friendly practice is more than happy to see little patients and are experts in turning frowns upside down in the dental chair…especially for our more nervous patients!
What to do if my child has a cavity?
If you’re concerned your child already has a cavity, you might not know your options to help get your child’s smile back in tip-top shape. We recommend booking your child an appointment at Lister House Dental Centre so our friendly family dentists can assess their oral health, offer a treatment plan, and get their smile back on track.
We offer family appointments at our dental practice in Harlow, which are an excellent convenience for multi-child households as they allow your children to be seen by the dentist on the same day. We will ensure your child is comfortable and happy during the appointment before conducting their routine exam! Even if this is your child’s first visit to the dentist, we will do our best to instil confidence, empower them to take control of their oral health and learn to love visiting the dentist!