One of the most common questions that parents ask when they are in our office is related to preventative steps: “What can I do to help my child avoid cavities?” As a parent, you are looking for ways to support your child’s dental health so that they can avoid cavities and fillings.

Talking with a kids dentist in Carlsbad, such as Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry, is a great way to learn about preventative measures that can be followed. These are some of the suggestions that we tell parents in our office:

Diet Matters
If a child is eating a lot of sugar or foods high in carbohydrates, then they are more likely to have tooth decay problems. So, one of the first tips that a kids dentist in Carlsbad suggests is to decrease the amount of junk food that your child is eating, and increase the amount of healthy foods that they eat each day. A healthy diet helps to decrease the risk of gum disease, cavities, and tooth decay. Their diet should be balanced, and include lean protein, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.

Keep in mind that you can’t eliminate all sugars from your child’s diet, because some of those foods are important for good health. For example, fruits and milk are two food items that contain sugars, but they also contain nutrients that are important for your child’s health. For best results, help your child to avoid refined sugars, such as those found in candy, cookies, cake, and other sweet treats.

Infant Teeth
For young children, one of the best things that you can do to help them to avoid tooth decay is to never allow them to go to sleep with a bottle of juice, milk or formula. When the child falls asleep with their bottle, the liquid will stay in their mouth for several hours while they are sleeping. This liquid can create the perfect environment for bacteria to form, which can result in tooth decay. If your child needs a bottle as they are going to bed, fill the bottle with water or give them a pacifier instead.

Fluoride Treatments
Some areas have fluoridated water, and you can talk with your kids dentist in Carlsbad to determine if additional supplements are needed in addition to the tap water. If you live in an area where the water is not fluoridated, then you should consider fluoride treatments to help strengthen your child’s teeth. A pediatric dentist can help you to determine the right amount of fluoride for your child based on their weight, age, water consumption, and brand of toothpaste.

Additionally, you might consider fluoride treatments when the child visits the dentist for their regular checkup. Talk with us, and we will help you to determine the best fluoride options for your child.

Here at Carlsbad Children’s Dentistry, we want to help your child avoid cavities. These prevention tips, along with regular dental checkups, are some of the most effective ways to help your child have good dental health. Contact us to schedule a checkup at: (760) 633-1131