Tag: Cavities

Common Factors Leading to Cavities in Kids

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry
Kid Cavaties Header Image 

Every parent wants their child to have a bright, healthy smile. However, cavities can sneak up and cause problems if you don’t know what to look out for. Understanding the causes of cavities in children is crucial for maintaining good oral health. 

The Role of Sugar and Diet

Sugar is one of the primary causes of cavities in children. When children consume sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria in their mouths feed on the sugar and produce acids. These acids attack the tooth enamel, leading to decay over time.

Another dietary factor is the frequent consumption of acidic foods and beverages. Items such as citrus fruits, sodas, and sports drinks can erode tooth enamel, making it easier for cavities to form. While these foods can be part of a balanced diet, it’s important to consume them in moderation and ensure children brush their teeth afterward to neutralize the acids.

Poor Oral Hygiene Habits

Inadequate brushing and flossing are significant contributors to cavity formation. Effective oral hygiene involves brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. Unfortunately, many children are not diligent about these practices, either because they forget or because they lack the manual dexterity to brush and floss effectively.

Parents should oversee their children’s brushing routines, especially for younger children who may not clean their teeth thoroughly. Additionally, regular dental check-ups are essential for professional cleanings and early detection of potential issues.

Fluoride is another key component in preventing cavities. Most public water supplies contain fluoride, but parents should check if their local water is fluoridated. If not, they can consult with their pediatric dentist about fluoride supplements or treatments.

Conclusion

Understanding the causes of cavities in children is the first step toward prevention. Be mindful of their diet and oral hygiene routines. If cavities appear, search for your local dentist nearby and learn more about cavity fillings in Greenville, NC. Wilson Pediatric Dentistry is a great resource for cavity treatment and prevention. 

Maintaining a healthy smile requires ongoing attention and care, but the results are well worth the effort. Let’s keep our children’s smiles bright and cavity-free!

Preventing Cavities in Greenville, NC: A Parent’s Guide to Oral Health Habits

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric Dentistry 

It’s never too early to teach your child good oral health habits. From scheduling regular appointments with an experienced pediatric dentist in Greenville, NC, to creating care routines at home, here are some best practices to prevent your child from developing cavities. 

Cavity Prevention Tips 

Cavities, also referred to as tooth decay, are holes that occur as the tooth is damaged by plaque and bacteria. According to Pediatric Dentists in Greenville, NC, Children are at high risk for cavities, as they often struggle to brush their teeth correctly and consume sugary or acidic foods. Keep reading to learn practical tips to prevent your child from developing cavities. 

Take Your Child For Periodic Teeth Cleanings

The American Dental Association recommends taking your child for a dental visit by their first birthday. As soon as your baby has teeth, the risk of a cavity developing occurs. Your dentist will help you set a schedule for teeth cleaning in Greenville, NC, that will help prevent cavities and catch any early-stage tooth decay before it becomes severe. 

Practice Good Oral Health Habits at Home

Directing your child through a consistent oral hygiene practice when they are young will help prevent cavities and form healthy habits. These positive behaviors may stay with them through adulthood and offer significant health benefits as they age. 

Establish a routine of brushing at least twice daily with a dentist-approved toothpaste and regularly flossing. When children are young, you’ll need to help them learn to brush correctly and watch to make sure they are brushing all their teeth, as molars can be easily skipped. 

Skip Sugary Treats

While any food can contribute to cavity formation if your child doesn’t brush their teeth, certain foods are more damaging to tooth enamel than others. Avoid or limit sugary foods such as desserts, soda, juices, and candy. Gummy candies, taffy, and fruit leather are especially destructive, as they become wedged between teeth and are difficult to clean off properly. 

Schedule Appointments in Greenville, NC

Sometimes, despite parents’ best efforts, children still develop cavities. If that happens, the wisest thing to do is schedule your child for a dental filling in Greenville, NC as soon as possible. 

Tooth decay can spread, and cavities in baby teeth can cause issues that impact your child’s adult teeth. Taking your child for a cavity filling in Greenville, NC, is the best way to prevent a cavity from causing long-term damage.

Make Dentist Visits Enjoyable in Greenville, NC

When you make dental care a regular part of your child’s life, dentist visits won’t cause anxiety or stress. Taking your child to a kids’ dentist in Greenville, NC, also makes the occasion more pleasant, as the dental team will be experienced in caring for children’s specific needs.

It’s never too soon to start thinking about your child’s dental health. Schedule an appointment at Wilson Pediatric Dentistry today, and take the first step toward helping your child have a healthy smile.

Pediatric Teeth Cleaning and Cavity Fillings | Greenville, NC

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

In the seemingly endless cycle of preparing meals and snacks for your little ones, you may be tempted to grab whatever is most convenient in order to preserve time and energy. When it comes to the foods that your toddler or child likely prefers at this age, many of those go-to meals and snacks could be unexpectedly causing tooth decay. Continue reading to learn more.

Surprising Foods Which Lead to Tooth Decay

Simple Carbs

Pastas, cereals, rice, crackers, and breads all have two things in common. The first is that they are likely some of your child’s favorite foods. The second is that these are all simple carbs. 

Simple carbs usually make up the white or yellow foods in your child’s diet. The structure of the grains are so simple that they begin to break down into basic sugars immediately upon entering the mouth. These sugars have a tendency of sticking to the teeth which can quickly lead to tooth decay. 

Swap out your child’s favorite simple carbs with more complex options such as brown rice, and whole grain pasta, cereals, and breads. 

Sticky Foods

Are you even a parent if you don’t have a half dozen bags of fruit snacks hidden away in your car or purse? These fruit snacks are a favorite treat for kids and they are considered a healthy alternative to other gummies. The problem with fruit snacks is that they are still very high in sugar and will adhere themselves to your child’s teeth for longer periods of time. 

The same problem arises with dried fruits. Raisins, dried apricots, dried mango, and dates will glue themselves to your child’s teeth well after snack time is over. 

Juices

Juice is one of the most common culprits of early tooth decay. Juices are packed with sugar, and when children are young, they are usually consumed through a sippy cup. 

The naturally high sugar content of juice sipped from a cup which encourages the drink to slowly pool into the mouth will expose the teeth to the damaging effects of sugar for a longer period of time. 

Limit the amount of juice your child drinks and try to dilute the juice with water to minimize the sugar intake. Also, encourage your child to drink her juice through a straw instead of a sippy cup since this encourages her to quickly swallow the drink. 

Cavity Fillings in Greenville, NC

Even when taking every precaution, it is still necessary to have your child’s teeth checked routinely for early signs of tooth decay. Wilson Pediatric Dentistry offers a variety of services including pediatric teeth cleanings and cavity fillings in Greenville, NC. Schedule your next appointment today. 

Pediatric Dentistry: How to Avoid Cavities

Posted on by Wilson Pediatric Dentistry

cavity-treatment

Teaching a child to brush and floss at a very young age is the best way to instill healthy oral hygiene habits as the child grows. Continue reading to learn how you can explain cavities and healthy hygiene practices to your child. 

How to Explain Cavities to Your Child

What Is a Cavity?

There is a bacteria in your mouth that has a funny name. It’s called a streptococci mutant. This bacteria likes to live on your teeth and loves to eat sugar. Whenever you eat sweet or sugary foods, the bacteria will eat the sugar and make an acid on your teeth. When you don’t brush or floss the sugar or acid off of your teeth, the acid will begin to erode or eat away at the surface of your teeth. Over time, this erosion will create a hole in your tooth called a cavity. Cavities can be very painful and if you don’t take care of them quickly, they can grow until the whole tooth is damaged. A damaged tooth can make it difficult to eat your favorite foods and may even need to be removed.

How Can I Protect My Teeth?

You can protect your teeth from cavities by brushing your teeth in the morning after you wake up and again right before you go to sleep at night. Your toothbrush will remove sugar from the surface of your teeth, but it can’t reach the sugar or bacteria that likes to hide between your teeth. This is why it is so important to floss every day to make sure the bacteria can’t hide and create a cavity between your teeth. Every six months, you should go to the dentist for a cleaning so that she can look for any cavities that might be hiding.

What Happens If I Get a Cavity?

If the dentist finds a cavity in your mouth, she will need to drill away the damaged part of your tooth. But don’t worry, the dentist will give you some medicine first so that you will be comfortable. Once the damaged part of your tooth is removed, the dentist will use a special material to fill the hole in and make it look good as new. This material is called a filling which will harden to protect your tooth from any more damage. 

Schedule Your Next Appointment in Greenville, NC

If you are looking for a dentist for your child, come to Wilson Pediatric Dentistry. We offer a variety of services including pediatric cavity treatment in Greenville, NC. Our staff is highly qualified to put your child at ease and provide whatever dental services he may require. Schedule an appointment today.