Learning to Manage Your Dental Problems

Five Common Habits That Could Prevent Childhood Tooth Decay

12 August 2015 by Charlotte Beck

Putting effort into preventing cavities during childhood can get your child to develop lifelong habits that promote good dental health. Kids are especially prone to developing cavities due to a variety of factors, including diet and excessively lax dental care practices.

As a parent, you should be looking out for any little things you can do to keep cavities from causing your child pain and frustration. The following are a few surprising factors that could actually go a long way in reducing the potential for cavity development in your child's teeth:

Chewing sugarless gum

Many sugarless gums are made with an artificial sweetener known as xylitol. Xylitol is known for its ability to combat harmful bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for tooth decay. 

Bacteria that cause cavities typically feed on sugars and carbohydrates in the mouth, but they cannot feed on xylitol. The presence of this artificial sweetener in the mouth can kill bacteria by preventing them from feeding and reproducing. 

Not only is sugarless chewing gum beneficial because of the xylitol it contains, but it can also help fortify the teeth by encouraging saliva production. Saliva flow replenishes the mouth with minerals and nutrients that help strengthen the teeth and prevent demineralization that leads to decay. 

Drinking green tea

Green tea is already widely recognized for its high antioxidant content. However, it has also recently been shown to benefit dental health by fighting bacteria and reducing the acidity of saliva. It can also benefit the gums thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce the occurrence of gingivitis and other gum diseases. 

Using a straw

Kids tend to have an affinity for sugary beverages like soda. While soda consumption is not good for the teeth, consuming soda with a straw can help to minimize the damage. When kids use a straw, sweet beverages bypass the teeth and have less opportunity to make contact with tooth surfaces. 

Eating cheese after meals

Cheese benefits the teeth in two ways. First of all, it contains a lot of calcium, and this mineral is important to the strength and development of hard materials in the body like bone and teeth.  

Cheese also helps strengthen teeth due to the casein it contains. Casein is a protein in cheese has been shown to help replenish the teeth with minerals and reduce the acidity of saliva. 

Snacking on raisins

If your child enjoys snacking on raisins, it's good news for his or her dental health. Raisins contain flavonoids and polyphenols that are known for having bacteria-fighting properties. This can help prevent harmful bacteria in the mouth from encouraging tooth decay.

For more information about keeping your child's mouth healthy, contact a local pediatric dentist, like those at A Wild Smile.

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