Why Does My Child Keep Getting Cavities?

When it comes to the dentist, a cavity is one of those things that both you and your child fear. They know that it means drilling in their mouth and that uncomfortable numbness feeling for hours and you know it means paying for the fillings and having to handle a whiney child for hours.

Here are four reasons why, despite your best efforts, your child may still be getting cavities.

Bacteria

One of the biggest causes of cavities that people don’t realize is bacteria. This bacteria can live on common items and make it difficult to protect your children against cavities. By becoming informed of where potential bacteria can live and teaching your children proper dental practices to avoid it can help to reduce their risk of cavities. This could be as simple as covering their toothbrush, not biting on their nails, and so forth.

Fluoride-Treated Water

Any dentist in your local area will likely know if your water is treated by fluoride. This type of treatment is a big problem for your teeth as it eats away at the enamel. By using a fluoride-infused toothpaste, you can help to restore that enamel. Essentially, the fluoride-infused toothpaste will combat the harmful effects of fluoride-treated water.

They’re Not Flossing

Flossing is a very important part of any dental routine. It allows for food particles to be removed from in between the teeth. When these food particles are left in there, it can be difficult to completely get rid of them with regular brushing and the use of mouthwash. This can lead to unnecessary rotting of the tooth enamel and development of cavities.

Bad Food Choices

Unless you monitor your children around the clock, you don’t always know what they may be eating. Those vending machines near the school and at other places can house harmful foods that can damage your children’s teeth. In general, they should be avoiding overly sugary foods like pop tarts, gummy bears, fruit roll-ups, and so forth. These sugary foods will start to eat away at the tooth enamel shortly after consumption. This leads to a faster rate of decay that develops into cavities.

Cavities are a big problem for kids as their teeth are more susceptible to the damaging environment around us. If your children’s dentist is consistently reporting cavities, then it’s time to assess the environment that surrounds your child. The above are four causes of cavities that many parents may not be aware of. Remember that teaching good habits to your children starts with showcasing them yourself.

By Ani Oaks
Freelance writer and web enthusiast