What Should I Do if My Child Has a Cavity?
Often a simple toothache in children can be symptomatic of other underlying problems and should always be taken seriously. One of the most common symptoms of cavities in kids are toothaches. A cavity is the decaying of the tooth that has developed into tiny holes. Unfortunately, a vast majority of children will experience at least one cavity. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. Read on to learn the importance of developing preventative habits and when to seek out kids’ dental checkups.
Symptoms of Kids Cavities
Cavities can happen on both baby teeth and permanent teeth. It is important to pay attention to the symptoms below and seek dental care if your child is experiencing any of the symptoms.
Typical symptoms of cavities are:
- Toothache – A spontaneous pain in the tooth or around the gum
- Tooth sensitivity – hot or cold drinks/foods cause sharp pains
- Visible holes in teeth
- Brown, black or any staining on the surface on the tooth
- Pain from applying pressure on the tooth
How to Prevent Kids Cavities
As common as cavities are, there are steps you can take to help reduce the chances of cavities forming in the first place.
Brushing Your Baby Teeth and Permanent Teeth:
One of the best steps to establish proper dental hygiene is to brush twice daily. By brushing in the morning and evening, you will put your child in the best position to defend against cavities. This significantly reduces the chance of plaque forming and eating away at the enamel in the tooth. Once the enamel has been worn away, bacteria reaches through the softer dentin layer to the pulp layer that houses the nerves and affects the sensitivity of the tooth.
Flossing In-between Your Teeth:
Brushing can’t reach every part of the tooth; this is where flossing comes into place. Dental floss is thin and flexible enough to be able to reach in between the gaps of your teeth. In these gaps, plaque typically builds up since it’s harder for your toothbrush to reach these areas. You can use regular dental floss or a water pick to clean these tricky areas.
Using Mouth Wash Regularly:
A good mouth wash targets all areas of the mouth. A best practice is to swish the solution between your teeth and gargle with it to clean the back of the mouth. This will clean your teeth and all other areas of the mouth.
Limiting Foods with High Sugar or Starch Content:
An often-forgotten step in preventing cavities is to reduce the chance of them developing this plaque in the first place. This can be done by limiting the amount of direct sugars they eat. These sugars can come in the form of soft drinks, juice, candy, and breakfast cereals.
