How do you teach a child about tooth decay?
Teach kids about foods that are healthy for their teeth.
- Cut apart a white styrofoam egg carton to make little “teeth”.
- Show how sugar helps plaque grow with a science experiment called “Plaque Attack!” It’s a great way to simulate how sugar feeds the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
What is tooth decay explanation for kids?
What is tooth decay in children? Tooth decay is the breakdown, or destruction, of tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard outer surface of a tooth. Tooth decay can lead to cavities (caries). These are holes in the teeth.
What does a cavity look like for kids?
For a child or adult, a cavity may take on the appearance of a dark or cloudy spot on the tooth. You may see a chalky white, yellow tinted or dark area on your tooth. With babies or toddlers, you’ll want to examine their teeth regularly.
How can I help my 5 year old with tooth decay?
A dental filling is common for toddlers and children who have one or more cavities. Fillings can take place on permanent teeth, as well as on baby teeth. During the procedure, the dentist removes the tooth decay and then fills the hole with a white composite or metal material.
How do you stop tooth decay from spreading?
Prevention
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking.
- Rinse your mouth.
- Visit your dentist regularly.
- Consider dental sealants.
- Drink some tap water.
- Avoid frequent snacking and sipping.
- Eat tooth-healthy foods.
- Consider fluoride treatments.
Is it normal for a 6 year old to have cavities?
For starters, cavities in young children are not that uncommon. By age 5, about 60 percent of U.S. children will have experienced tooth decay, according to the “State of Little Teeth Report,” a 2014 American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry document based on a survey of 1,000 parents.
Can 3 year old have cavities?
Tooth decay is now considered the most common childhood disease, affecting one in seven 3 to 5-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Untreated tooth decay and cavities can be bad news for your child’s baby teeth, as well as their future oral health.
Do 5 year olds need cavities filled?
Each situation will be different, but most dentists agree that it’s often best to fix or fill kids’ cavities when possible. Whether it’s a 3-year-old cavity filling, a 5-year-old cavity filling, or older, dentists will try to preserve baby teeth.
How can I slow down my toddler’s tooth decay?
Fluoride. Fluoride is one of the best defenses you and your kids have against early tooth decay. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, fluoride can even reverse tooth decay in the early stages. It slows down mineral loss, remineralizing and strengthening enamel.
How do I stop my toddler’s teeth from rotting?
Cleaning or brushing your child’s teeth helps remove the bacteria that cause decay.
- Start to clean your baby’s teeth as soon as the first tooth comes through.
- From 18 months to six years of age, use a small pea-sized amount of children’s low-fluoride toothpaste on a small, soft toothbrush.