Preventing Cavities in Children: From Diet to Dental Care, Everything You Need to Know

Author: Melissa / On: Sep 05

As parents, ensuring the well-being of our children is our paramount concern. From their first steps to their first day of school, we strive to provide them with the best opportunities for a healthy and happy life. Yet, one aspect of their health that often gets overlooked until it’s too late is their dental well-being. Cavities, those small but troublesome holes in teeth, can disrupt a child’s life, causing discomfort, pain and damage to their developing teeth. The good news is that preventing cavities in children is possible and manageable with the right knowledge and strategies.

Let’s look into every aspect of cavity prevention in children, covering everything from their diet to dental care routines. Arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to safeguard your child’s precious smile, setting them on a path to a lifetime of excellent oral health.

What Causes Cavities in Children?

Cavities, also known as dental caries or tooth decay, is a common dental issue in children. The formation of a cavity begins with the demineralisation of tooth enamel, as acids produced by mouth bacteria react with sugars, weakening the enamel. Plaque, a sticky bacterial film, forms on teeth, facilitating acid attacks that erode enamel and create small pits. Without intervention, enamel damage leads to cavity formation, a permanent hole on the tooth’s surface. Untreated, cavities progress, reaching the dentin and causing pain and infection. These tiny holes which are initially microscopic, worsen and can eventually rot away the top of the entire tooth. This can also lead to problems such as dental infection and abscess formation if the decay is not removed and treated.

Primary teeth are more vulnerable to bacterial attacks and cavity formation in children because their enamel is thinner and less mineralised than permanent teeth, making them more susceptible to acid erosion from bacterial byproducts. Prevention and early intervention are crucial to thwarting this process and preserving dental health.

Several factors contribute to the development of cavities in children:

Diet High in Sugars and Starches

The primary cause of cavities in children is sugary and starchy foods. Bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and produce acids that erode tooth enamel over time. Frequent snacking on sugary treats and drinks, such as candy, cookies, soda, and fruit juices, can increase the risk of cavities.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Inadequate brushing and flossing can leave food particles and plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) on the teeth. Plaque contains acid-producing bacteria that attack tooth enamel, leading to cavities..

Dietary Habits

Children also tend to eat more frequently throughout the day, exposing their teeth to a continuous acidic environment created by sugary and starchy snacks. This constant exposure can make them more susceptible to the harmful effects of acid-producing bacteria. Forming a good routine of eating only at allocated meal times, allowing a clear break of at least 2 hours where there is no food going in their mouth will significantly reduce kids risks of dental decay.

Infant Feeding Practices

Putting a child to bed with a bottle of milk or juice, especially without proper oral hygiene afterwards, can lead to “baby bottle tooth decay,” which affects the front teeth. Make sure the last thing your child does before going to bed is brush their teeth.

It’s important to understand these factors and take proactive steps to prevent cavities in children.

What Dental Problems Can Happen due to cavities in Children?

If left untreated, cavities can lead to various dental problems and complications in children. Here are some of the dental issues that can result from untreated cavities:

Tooth Decay
Toothache
Infection
Tooth Loss

It’s important to address cavities in children as early as possible to prevent these complications. Regular dental check-ups and early intervention by a dentist can help identify and treat cavities in their earliest stages, minimising the potential for more severe dental problems.

At Whitehorse Dental, we prioritise your children’s dental health with our comprehensive preventative dentistry services. Our dedicated team ensures your children maintain healthy smiles through regular check-ups, dental cleanings, and education on proper oral hygiene practices. We focus on preventing dental issues before they become more significant and keeping your children’s teeth and gums in excellent condition.

Tips to Prevent Cavities in Children

The primary cause of cavities is the presence of sugar and bacteria, which if left undisturbed, leads to the bacteria eating the sugar. This creates a reaction leading to acid formation that burrows into the tooth, damaging and weakening the enamel and creating a hole or cavity. To prevent tooth decay in both children and adults, the bacteria must be removed with daily brushing and flossing.

Here are some tips to help prevent cavities in children:

Avoid Frequent Snacking

To safeguard children’s dental health, regulating what they eat and when they eat is essential. This is probably the most effective and important thing parents can do to prevent tooth decay in children. Here’s why:

When you eat or drink anything that’s not water, the environment in the mouth becomes more acidic. This is because most of the foods we eat are acidic in pH (for example fruits) and also the acidic environment aids in the first stage of digestion. Dental decay can only occur in an acidic environment, as the bacteria metabolise the sugars in the food to produce more acid which damages the tooth. It takes at least 20 minutes for your mouth to return to a normal pH level after eating, regardless of the meal’s size, be it a small snack or a big feast. This process happens even when you drink most beverages, except water. Frequent eating between meals or having more than five meals a day does not give the mouth enough time to neutralise the acid, thus putting children or adults who don’t have enough break during meal times at higher risk of tooth decay.

At Whitehorse Dental, the first question we usually ask patients, be it adults or children, when we see tooth decay is not just what they eat but how frequently or how many meals they take. This allows our patients to take the steps to protect their teeth from further risk of cavities after treatment with dietary and nutritional guidance and proper oral hygiene habits.

Establish Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Start cleaning your child’s gums before their first tooth emerges with a soft, damp cloth. Once teeth start appearing, brush them gently with fluoride toothpaste as your dentist recommends. We recommend the ‘my first toothbrush’ from Colgate. This is a nice toothbrush to use as it has a small head with soft bristles. Use a tiny amount of toothpaste. Half a rice grain is usually enough. It is far more effective to use a tiny amount of a strong toothpaste, rather than a large amount of a weak toothpaste. If using a tiny amount of toothpaste (half a rice grain), we normally recommend the colgate minion toothpaste which is marketed for ages 6+ years old. Toothpastes that have higher than 1000ppm fluoride have been shown to be more effective at preventing tooth decay. The key is to use a tiny amount. Please encourage your child to brush their teeth twice daily, especially before bedtime. Brushing before bed is essential.

At Whitehorse Dental, we recommend brushing your kids teeth for them at least once a day at night timeuntil they are seven or eight to ensure their teeth are cleaned properly and free from bacteria. It’s also advisable to instil positive oral hygiene habits by setting a good example for them by brushing and flossing in front of them, encouraging a healthy oral hygiene routine from a young age.

Cleaning Between the Teeth

Most cavities form or begin in between the teeth. This is because food debris or particles get stuck and it’s difficult to get these areas clean. Since most young children’s teeth are still growing and have gaps, regular brushing can help keep them free from bacteria. But once your child’s teeth touch each other or come in contact, it’s essential for them to learn to floss and keep the areas in between the teeth clean. Teach them the importance of flossing and assist them until they can do it independently. Or ask your dentist about interdental brushes or age appropriate tools to make brushing these inaccessible areas easier for your child.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Routine dental checkups form the foundation of preventive care, helping maintain healthy teeth and gums and protecting your child from emerging oral issues. Schedule your child’s first dental appointment around their first birthday, and then continue with regular check-ups every six months or as your dentist advises. This helps the dentist catch tooth decay at an early stage, recommending preventive measures and strategies to help you protect your little one’s teeth and monitor their dental development.

At Whitehorse Dental, we offer No Drill Dentistry for kids, a gentle, non-invasive treatment which involves applying a liquid medication on the decayed tooth. The silver in the medication kills the bacteria, halting decay and preventing the cavity from getting bigger. Additionally, the fluoride in the liquid harden’s the tooth surface, further protecting the enamel. If the decay is small, nothing else needs to be done because the tooth is well-protected by the treatment. Where there is a physical cavity, depending on the situation, we may either fill it (with no need for drilling) or place a protective silver crown. We’ve designed the crown procedure specifically for children, ensuring they get the treatment they need comfortably and in a relaxed environment, helping preserve their tooth structure for healthy oral development.

Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks

Limit sugary snacks and beverages, including soda, fruit juices, and candies. Processed foods, often laden with hidden sugars, should be avoided as they can promote cavity formation. Similarly, despite their apparent healthiness, fruit juices and dried fruits can be high in sugar and stick to teeth, increasing the risk of cavities. Instead, opt for fresh fruits which are nutritious and less likely to contribute to dental issues.

Fissure Sealants

Ask your dentist about dental sealants, which play a vital role in preventing cavities by protecting the chewing surfaces of teeth from bacteria and food particles. However, it’s important to note that sealants primarily safeguard the occlusal or chewing surfaces and may not prevent interdental cavities. Maintaining proper interdental hygiene, such as flossing or interdental brushes, remains significant to keep the spaces between teeth clean and cavity-free.

Oral Health Education

Teach your child about the importance of oral hygiene and why it’s essential to prevent cavities. Make it a fun and educational experience. Children often learn by observing their parents. Show good oral hygiene habits by taking care of your teeth, taking them to the dentist to promote awareness and education and letting them learn through experience and exposure.

Avoid Putting Babies to Bed with Bottles

Don’t let your baby fall asleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouth, as this can lead to “bottle rot” and tooth decay. Try to wean them off the bottle or pacifier, avoiding boxed juices which are high in sugar. Instead, encourage them to have water which will keep their body hydrated and promote saliva production for a healthy mouth.

Address Dental Issues Promptly

If you notice any dental problems or signs of cavities, such as tooth sensitivity, discolouration, or pain, consult a dentist promptly for treatment. Ignoring tooth decay in baby teeth just because they will fall out can put the remaining healthy and developing teeth at risk. Certain teeth, such as the back baby molars, do not fall out until the age of eleven or twelve. Leaving cavities untreated can cause major problems such as dental infection and pain before they are lost naturally.

By following these tips and maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine, you can significantly reduce the risk of cavities in children and set them on a path to good oral health.

A Healthy Young Smile Begins with Preventive Care

Though seemingly small, cavities can significantly impact their comfort, health, and quality of life. By understanding the causes of cavities and taking proactive steps to prevent them, you can ensure that your child maintains a radiant and pain-free smile throughout childhood.

Your child’s oral health journey starts with you. So, take your time with a cavity becoming a painful issue for your child. Take action now. Schedule an appointment and embark on a path to lifelong dental wellness for your child.