Hidden Facts You Didn’t Know About Cavities

Cavities ? Have you ever found yourself saying these words before your child entered their toddler years? Or maybe you’ve heard them from another parent?

It’s natural to want our children to have perfect dental health, but the unfortunate reality is that they can still suffer from tooth cavities due to various reasons we may not be aware of.

Parents, I encourage you not to panic or feel disappointed if you discover tooth cavities in your children. Even if your baby hasn’t developed their milk teeth yet, there’s no need to worry unnecessarily about future possibilities.

It’s important to have accurate knowledge about tooth decay so that you can address any issues correctly or prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Here are some lesser-known facts you should be aware of:

Many children experience tooth decay.

Did you know that The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research has found that 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 have tooth decay? That’s a significant number! Just imagine how many children might be crying and having difficulty sleeping due to toothaches. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?

Tooth cavities is a disease known as dental caries.

Tooth decay isn’t just caused by sugary foods alone. It is caused by bacteria and germs that feed on these sugary foods, which tend to linger in our baby’s mouth when not properly brushed. When these bacteria invade the mouth, they leave behind acids that erode the tooth structure.

Tooth decay can be transmitted from parents or siblings to babies.

Do you share spoons while eating? Does your child play with your toothbrush? Research shows that many tooth cavities occur due to these scenarios. Since babies aren’t born with these bacteria in their mouths, they can only acquire them from others.

Tooth cavities can be prevented.

As mentioned earlier, cavities are not present at birth, so preventing them is certainly possible. Here are some proven methods to prevent tooth cavities:

• Maintain good nutrition during pregnancy, as this can help your baby develop strong enamel and tooth structure.
• Ensure that all household members have regular dental checkups to prevent early onset of tooth decay in babies.
• Clean your baby’s teeth and tongue with a wet washcloth during infancy.
• Use an age-appropriate toothbrush and safe-to-swallow natural food-grade toothpaste after six months.
• Schedule a dental visit for cavity prevention measures as soon as your child turns one.

Once your child can spit, introduce a small amount of fluoride toothpaste at the age of two.

Encourage your child to drink plenty of water.

Limit their consumption of sugary and starchy foods.

If you notice staining on your child’s teeth, make an appointment with the dentist for necessary interventions.

While cavities may be common at all stages of life, they can still be prevented and managed with the right steps.