First Dental Visit

How do cavities start?

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Cavities in children generally begin three ways: Bacteria, Sugar, and Hygiene.

From the time your children are toddlers, many families have found it helpful to keep crackers or other pre-packaged snack foods in the diaper bag, purse, or car for those longer-than-expected car rides or to help with hungry tummies in between meals. Unfortunately, the amount of sugar in most packaged snack items, combined with natural bacteria found in the mouth is a major cause of cavities in children. Gummy vitamins or sticky snacks (fruit leather, dried fruit, fruit snacks) tend to remain in the grooves of the teeth even after brushing which leads to cavities on your child’s molars (chewing teeth in the back).

Natural bacteria found in the mouth can pass from person to person. If mom or dad has an active cavity and they share food or utensils with their child, they can pass the decay back and forth. Bacteria that cause cavities is contagious (like sharing a cold) until treated.

Next time you come into World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry feel free to ask the dental staff about additional ways to prevent cavities, and to pick up information about the new SoniCare for Kids electric toothbrush. Education and prevention leads to a healthy smile and happy kids!

Tags: Cavity Prevention, Cavity prevention for babies, First appointment to the dentist, First Dental Visit, How to prevent cavities, pediatric dentist, Preventing cavities for my child, prevention of cavities, primary teeth, Why do I have to help my child brush their teeth?

Posted in First Dental Visit, Prevention, cavities, cavity, childrens dentist, dental office, dental visits, dentist, kids dentist, kids teeth, my kids teeth, pediatric dentist, prevention of cavities, primary teeth