Prevention of cavities

Cavities are caused when sugars in the food we eat and the bacteria in our mouths mix together and produce an acid that eats away at the hard, outer layer of your teeth. If this process happens repetitively, a small hole will form. Different factors will affect at what rate the hole increases in size. Once the hole touches the inner layer of the tooth, the dentin, and can then progress vary rapidly, especially in children.

Cavities are a preventable disease. There are many steps you can take at home to help your child stay cavity free. It is also important to visit the dentist regularly so we can assess your child's condition, help develop a personalized prevention program and if decay does develop, restore it in a conservative way.

The following steps will help your child be part of the cavity-free generation:

• Beware of frequent snacking
• Brush effectively twice a day with a fluoride tooth paste
• Floss once a day
• Offer a balanced diet
• Have sealants applied when appropriate
• Seek regular dental check-ups

Brushing

Regular, thorough brushing is a very important step in preventing tooth decay and gum disease. Brushing removes the bacteria that promote tooth decay and the plaque that can cause gum disease.Ideally, you should brush your child's teeth after every meal, because the bacterial attack on teeth begins minutes after eating. You should brush your child's teeth at least twice a day. After brushing your child's teeth at night, make sure he/she does not eat or drink anything except water. Remember that most children under 8 years old do not have the dexterity to brush their teeth effectively. You must help them brush every night! If you find it difficult to brush your child's teeth, we can demonstrate different techniques during your dental visit.

Flossing

Flossing removes plaque and bacteria between your teeth that you cannot reach with your toothbrush. If you don't floss your child's teeth, you might be missing more than one-third of his/her tooth surface. You should floss his/her teeth at night just before brushing. We can review with you the best time to start flossing your child's teeth and teach you appropriate techniques.

Diet

To maintain a good general and dental health, it is important for your child to have a balanced diet. To help prevent dental caries, the servings of sugars and starches should be limited. Since a lot of children prefer these foods, it is important for parents to shop smart: Do not routinely stock your pantry with sugary or starchy snacks. Constant snacking on sweets cause tooth enamel to be continuously exposed to acids produced by the bacteria inside the mouth. Set times when your child can have a treat. Immediately after a meal is a good time, as there is a better flow of saliva to help wash away foods. Make sure you offer healthy snacks like vegetables and fruits. Cheese is also a great snack especially because it buffers the acids produced by oral bacteria and helps to remineralize areas of early tooth decay. Frequent drinking of any sweet drinks such as juices (EVEN DILUTED with water) or others such as chocolate milk should be limited to ONCE a day since they will also increase the risk of tooth decay. Always remember: water is the beverage of choice between meals.

Fluoride

Fluoride can be found in different sources: water, toothpaste, gels, rinses, tablets and varnish. It is important to have an adequate dose of fluoride to keep our teeth strong. Unfortunately, an excessive dose of fluoride can do harm. Every child has different fluoride needs and we can help determine at his next visit.

Fluoridated toothpaste should be introduced when a child is 2-3 years of age. Make sure the child uses no more than a pea-sized amount on the brush It is important for all older children to use fluoridated toothpaste twice a day when brushing.

In the region of Ottawa, tap water is fluoridated. This can also provide fluoride protection. If you drink well water or live in a region where the water is non fluoridated, it might be preferable for your child to take a fluoride supplement (drops or tablets) but this must be assessed by a dentist.

If your child is at higher risk for decay, other sources of fluoride can be suggested as part of his/her prevention program.

Sealants

For additional cavity protection, your child might benefit from sealants. Sometimes the tiny grooves and bits on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth are very difficult to clean. A sealant can be applied on those surfaces and will fill all those crevasses preventing food and plaque from being caught there. It resembles a white plastic coating on the teeth and its application is fast and comfortable.