Top Tips: How to Grow a Cavity-Free Child!

 

  1. BRUSH: If you eat, BRUSH afterwards. Always brush for 2 minutes before you go to school and before bed. Make sure that you  brush every surface of every tooth and even brush your tongue. Germs and plaque collect on your tongue and can eventually cause bad breath. Manual toothbrushes, musical toothbrushes and electric toothbrushes all work very well, but make sure that you brush your child’s teeth until they are 9 years old.
  2. FLOSS: DAILY flossing is essential because it removes food particles and plaque between teeth where cavities can start without you knowing about them.
  3. WATER: Drink water instead of other sugary drinks, like Powerade, Gatorade, Juice, and soda. If you do drink these things make sure
    that you do NOT sip them all day. Check the labels for the amount of sugar they contain. Less sugar is better, but water is best.
  4. FLUORIDE: Most towns in Western, Ma do NOT have fluoridated water! Call your town and ask if they put fluoride in the water supply. It is very important for children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years to have one form of systemic fluoride; either in drinking water or in drops and tablets that the pediatrician or dentist can write a prescription for. Topical fluoride is in toothpaste and OTC fluoride rinses and should also be used daily.
  5. BETTER THAN SUGAR: Chew Xylitol gum, use Xylitol in toothpaste/mouthrinses/mints/sprays/gels, or as a sweetener. Xylitol should be listed as the primary sweetener (listed on the label). 100% xylitol-sweetened products are best. Crystalline Xylitol can be sprinkled on cereal, mixed with drinking water, used in salad dressings, or cooking/baking.
    Xylitol=less plaque, less acid, and less decay-causing bacteria. Xylitol and fluoride are a winning combination to prevent tooth decay.
    Use these products 5 times a day.
  6. SCHOOL DAYS: Chewing Xylitol gum at school is probably a no- no, but there are other products that you may be allowed to use; such as mints. After lunch or after snack is a great time to use Xylitol mints.
  7. SLEEPOVERS: DO NOT forget your toothbrush and floss when you are away from home. During the night is when bacteria grows rapidly
    in your mouth and causes the most damage, so don’t forget to brush before you fall asleep!