TWO OUT OF EVERY FIVE kids will have a cavity by their eleventh birthday, possibly even more than one. At those numbers, cavities are the most common childhood disease. What can parents do to fight these odds? All About You Dental Care is here to help by identifying the biggest childhood cavity culprits.
Sugary Snacks Are Ensuring Kids will Have a Cavity
Treats and snacks loaded with sugar are a big one, especially when kids are munching on them throughout the day. It takes saliva about thirty minutes to wash away food residue and neutralize acids produced by oral bacteria. When kids are in a continuous state of snacking, their saliva can’t do its job, leaving their teeth to be constantly bathed by acid, which erodes enamel and leads to decay. We recommend keeping the sugary treats to mealtimes and offering sliced fruits and veggies if they still want snacks between meals.
…And So Are Sugary Drinks!
Another big culprit is sugary drinks. We aren’t just talking about soda; fruit juice and milk are major cavity-causer also! When kids are able to sip fruit juice or milk all day from a sippy cup or as they fall asleep, it produces the same result as continuous snacking. This is so damaging to teeth that we refer to it as “bottle rot.” Try replacing those sugary drinks with water. This limits their exposure to sugar and helps to keep them hydrated!
Try to limit the amount of sugary drinks your child consumes, and especially keep them only to mealtimes!
If you think your little ones might have a cavity make sure and get a dental exam. If decay is left untreated it can lead to infection, loss of teeth and potentially causing decay to the adult tooth that haven’t even erupted yet. Contact All About You Dental Care to get yourself and children checked today, (630) 262-9696.
