Preventing Dental Cavities

Where does the cavity-causing bacteria come from?

When babies are born, their mouths have no cavity causing bacteria. However, they can easily acquire such bacteria, simply from someone who already has high levels of this bacteria and who transmits it to the infant. This can originate with the mother, father or other caregiver. It can even originate from a sibling with a high cavity rate. If the baby eats from the same spoon as a family member or if you let your toddler use your toothbrush, the bacteria can be transmitted.

The higher the cavity rate for parents, the more chance that they will pass the germs along to the infant. The easiest way to prevent transmission of the bacteria is to maintain optimum oral health practices. When a child’s mouth has been colonized with mutant streptococcus, the child will become prone to cavities in both baby and permanent teeth.  If you as a parent have problems with your teeth, monitor your child’s oral health closely.

When does prevention of dental cavities begin?

When a woman is pregnant, she will give her baby a better chance at warding off decay by maintain optimum oral health herself. Remember that the baby’s primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth are forming during the pregnancy period. It is extremely important for the woman, even before pregnancy begins, gets regular teeth cleaning and addresses any dental problems. Fluoride rinses and chewing gums containing xylitol are simple ways to achieve oral health if incorporated within a daily hygiene routine.

More specifically, how do we prevent dental cavities?

Establishing a “dental home” when your baby is born is a very important step. Caries prevention requires an early examination to assess the baby’s risk of developing dental caries. This examination should occur by the time the first tooth erupts and no later than one year of life. Parents will be counseled on their child’s future dental development in terms of what to expect. Prevention plans include a comprehensive oral hygiene routine, a diet evaluation, , explanation of specific dental procedures such as sealants (a preventive coating placed in the deep grooves of the molars to seal them) and an individual schedule of visits, based on the needs of each patient.  Research has shown that the earlier a child gets a cavity, the stronger and more resistant are the bacteria causing it.

If the bacteria are not controlled, dental disease will continue to affect your child’s mouth at the permanent teeth start to come in—which can be as early as five years old for some children.

What do we need to know about brushing and flossing?

Brushing: Begin to brush your child’s teeth twice a day as soon as they erupt through the gums and continue to help with brushing through the toddler years. Most children will learn how to brush their teeth on their own by age 4 or 5. Parental supervision will still be necessary to make sure that the brushing is done properly.

Flossing: Begin flowing your child’s teeth as soon as you see a contact point or tight spot between any two teeth. Toothbrush bristles are not able to clean contact points where two teeth touch, but harmful bacteria can lodge there. A very common contact point in babies is between the upper front teeth.

What kinds of snacks are healthy for my child’s teeth?

Select nutritious foods such as vegetables (carrot or celery sticks, for example), low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheese.