Preventing Dental Caries in Children

posted in: Pediatric Dentistry | 0

It is a given that parents care about the well being of their child. When it comes to dental health, the parents aim to prevent various complications from arising. Unfortunately, some may not have the proper knowledge to make accurate assessments about their child’s dental health. For cases like these, it is best to bring a child to a dental professional. Here at The Grove Family Dentistry, we offer Children’s Dentistry for your child’s thorough and comprehensive checkup. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dental caries (also known as tooth decay) is the most prevalent chronic disease in children. However, dental caries in children is easily preventable with the right methods and oral care.


How can dental caries be prevented?

Dental caries form when food particles, plaque, and bacteria are not properly brushed away from the teeth. Here are ways to prevent dental caries from forming: 

  • Educating the kids with proper oral care habits at a young age is a must. Good oral habits such as brushing twice a day and regular flossing must be implemented. An effective oral care must start at home. 
  • Early dental visitations are crucial to a child’s oral health. Doing so will detect early stages of previously undiagnosed problems. Other than this purpose, taking them early will accommodate the child in the dentist’s office and help them get used to it. Booking regular dental visits for a child is an excellent preventative measure. 
  • Fluoride is essential when it comes to the prevention of dental caries. Regular fluoride use re-mineralizes the teeth and gives strength to the tooth enamel. Through this, the acid will have a hard time penetrating the teeth. In some places, tap water is fluoridated to help diminish the risk of dental caries. Fluoride can be found in toothpaste and other products marketed towards tooth decay prevention. Too much use of fluoride is also harmful and may cause bone problems and teeth discoloration. 
  • Limit the child’s consumption of sugary food. For a child, being given sweet treats are important. However, too much consumption of sweets can cause adverse effects on their oral health. The sugar found in these sweets can erode the enamel and make the teeth prone to dental caries. Have the kids brush their teeth and rinse their mouth after eating foods high in sugar. 


Let us ease your worries regarding your child’s dental health. Here at The Grove Family Dentistry, we offer Children’s Dentistry in Clayton, CA. Contact us to book an appointment. We are located at 6200 Center Street, Ste I and J Clayton, CA 94517.