{"id":338,"date":"2015-07-06T16:03:31","date_gmt":"2015-07-06T16:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.viennapleasantdental.com\/?page_id=338"},"modified":"2015-07-06T16:03:31","modified_gmt":"2015-07-06T16:03:31","slug":"how-to-prevent-cavities","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/procedures\/pediatric-dentistry\/how-to-prevent-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Prevent Cavities"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"content\">\n<div id=\"StylizedImage\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/styles.prosites.com\/litesite\/2018\/GenedImages\/Stylized\/s_Pediatric%20Dentistry-585955510.jpg\" id=\"ctl00_ImageFlareStylized1_ImageFlareStylized1\">\n        <\/div>\n<p>    <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n\/\/&lt;![CDATA[\nSys.WebForms.PageRequestManager._initialize('ctl00$ContentPlaceHolder1$sm', 'aspnetForm', [], [], [], 90, 'ctl00');\n\/\/]]&gt;\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"PageService_Line_Item_Name\" id=\"ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_PageServiceLineItemName\">\n<div style=\"float:left\"><span id=\"ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_Pagename\">How to Prevent Cavities<\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"float:right\"><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"PageService_Line_Group_Items\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Childhood cavities, also known as childhood tooth decay and childhood caries, are common in children all over the world. &nbsp;There are two main causes of cavities: poor dental hygiene and sugary diets.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Cavities can be incredibly painful and often lead to tooth decay and childhood periodontitis if left untreated. Ensuring that children eat a balanced diet, embarking on a sound home oral care routine, and visiting the pediatric dentist biannually are all crucial factors for both cavity prevention and excellent oral health.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\"><strong><font style=\"FONT-SIZE: 16px\">What causes cavities?<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Cavities form when children\u2019s teeth are exposed to sugary foods on a regular basis.&nbsp; Sugars and carbohydrates (like the ones found in white bread) collect on and around the teeth after eating.&nbsp; A sticky film (plaque) then forms on the tooth enamel. &nbsp;The oral bacteria within the plaque continually ingest sugar particles and emit acid.&nbsp; Initially, the acid attacks the tooth enamel, weakening it and leaving it vulnerable to tooth decay.&nbsp; If conditions are allowed to worsen, the acid begins to penetrate the tooth enamel and erodes the inner workings of the tooth.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Although primary (baby) teeth are eventually lost, they fulfill several important functions and should be protected.&nbsp; It is essential that children brush and floss twice per day (ideally more), and visit the dentist for biannual cleanings.&nbsp; Sometimes the pediatric dentist coats teeth with a sealant and provides fluoride supplements to further bolster the mouth\u2019s defenses.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\"><strong><font style=\"FONT-SIZE: 16px\">How will I know if my child has a cavity?<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Large cavities can be excruciatingly painful, whereas tiny cavities may not be felt at all. &nbsp;Making matters even trickier, cavities sometimes form between the teeth, making them invisible to the naked eye. &nbsp;Dental X-rays and the dentist\u2019s trained eyes help pinpoint even the tiniest of cavities so they can be treated before they worsen.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Some of the major symptoms of cavities include:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"font-style: normal;\">\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\">Heightened sensitivity to cool or warm foods<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\">Nighttime waking and crying<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\">Pain<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\">Sensitivity to spicy foods<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\">Toothache<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">If a child is experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to visit the pediatric dentist.&nbsp; Failure to do so will make the problem worse, leave the child in pain, and possibly jeopardize a tooth that could have been treated.<\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\"><strong><font style=\"FONT-SIZE: 16px\">How can I prevent cavities at home?<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"justify\" style=\"font-style: normal;\">Biannual visits with the pediatric dentist are only part of the battle against cavities.&nbsp; Here are some helpful guidelines for cavity prevention:<\/p>\n<ol style=\"font-style: normal;\">\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Analyze the diet <\/strong>&ndash; Too many sugary or starchy snacks can expedite cavity formation. &nbsp;Replace sugary snacks like candy with natural foods where possible, and similarly, replace soda with water.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Cut the snacks <\/strong>&ndash; Snacking too frequently can unnecessarily expose teeth to sugars.&nbsp; Save the sugar and starch for mealtimes, when the child is producing more saliva, and drinking water.&nbsp; Make sure they consume enough water to cleanse the teeth.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Lose the sippy cup <\/strong>&ndash; Sippy cups are thought to cause \u201cbaby bottle tooth decay\u201d when they are used beyond the intended age (approximately twelve months).&nbsp; The small amount of liquid emitted with each sip causes sugary liquid to continually swill around the teeth.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Avoid stickiness <\/strong>&ndash; Sticky foods (like toffee) form plaque quickly and are extremely difficult to pry off the teeth. &nbsp;Avoid them when possible.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Rinse the pacifier <\/strong>&ndash; Oral bacteria can be transmitted from mother or father to baby.&nbsp; Rinse a dirty pacifier with running water as opposed to sucking on it to avoid contaminating the baby\u2019s mouth.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Drinks at bedtime <\/strong>&ndash; Sending a child to bed with a bottle or sippy cup is bad news.&nbsp; The milk, formula, juice, or sweetened water basically sits on the teeth all night &ndash; attacking enamel and maximizing the risk of cavities. &nbsp;Ensure the child has a last drink before bedtime, and then brush the teeth.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Don\u2019t sweeten the pacifier <\/strong>&ndash; Parents sometimes dip pacifiers in honey to calm a cranky child.&nbsp; Do not be tempted to do this.&nbsp; Use a blanket, toy, or hug to calm the child instead.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Brush and floss <\/strong>&ndash; Parents should brush and floss their child\u2019s teeth twice each day until the child reaches the age of seven years old.&nbsp; Before this time, children struggle to brush every area of the mouth effectively.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Check on fluoride <\/strong>&ndash;When used correctly, fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel and help stave off cavities. &nbsp;Too much or too little fluoride can actually harm the teeth, so ask the pediatric dentist for a fluoride assessment.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div align=\"justify\"><strong>Keep to appointments <\/strong>&ndash; The child\u2019s first dental visit should be scheduled around his or her first birthday, as per the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guidelines.&nbsp; Keep to a regular appointment schedule to create healthy smiles!<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p align=\"justify\"><em>If you have questions or concerns about cavity prevention, please contact our office.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>\n        <input type=\"button\" onclick=\"document.location.href='\/procedures\/pediatric-dentistry\/'\" value=\"&lt;&lt;\" class=\"Button\" onmouseout=\"this.className='Button'\" onmouseover=\"this.className='ButtonHover'\" id=\"ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_btnBack\" name=\"ctl00$ContentPlaceHolder1$btnBack\"><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How to Prevent Cavities Childhood cavities, also known as childhood tooth decay and childhood caries, are common in children all over the world. &nbsp;There are two main causes of cavities: poor dental hygiene and sugary diets. Cavities can be incredibly painful and often lead to tooth decay and childhood periodontitis if left untreated. Ensuring that&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":135,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"taxonomy_info":[],"featured_image_src_large":false,"author_info":{"display_name":"Wayne Clevenger","author_link":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/author\/cierradmin\/"},"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/338"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/338\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cornerstonedentalva.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}