It’s that time of year again: kids are groaning, parents are rejoicing, and everyone’s trying to get out the door at once. While you’re settling into your back-to-school routine, make sure a visit to Dr. Donald J. Alexander and Dr. Michael M. Greenburg in Jacksonville, FL is on your list! Now is a great time to get kids’ teeth checked for cavities to make sure they have a cavity-free school year.
How to Prevent Cavities in Children
It’s important to help kids take care of their teeth at a young age. As kids start to lose baby teeth and adult teeth settle in, remember that these teeth must last the rest of their lives and it’s important to take care of them! Oral health is linked to overall health, so a healthy mouth is important to a healthy body.
The 2 X 2 Rule
Did you know that over half of American children already have a cavity by the end of elementary school? You can help your child avoid becoming this statistic by teaching them the 2 X 2 rule: brush for two minutes, twice a day. It’s best to brush as soon as you wake up and again before bed.
You can help reinforce this 2 X 2 rule by making it part of your child’s daily routine. Try setting a good example by brushing your teeth alongside them, using a timer, or even using a fun toothpaste they like. Nowadays, parents have a variety of options to choose from when it comes to toothpaste for kids, and you will often find toothbrush timers nearby.
What Else Can We Do?
While two minutes might not seem like a long time, it really does make a difference in the long run. Tooth brushing goes a long way in strengthening enamel and making sure teeth are healthy for years to come.
You can also proactively fight tooth decay by helping your child limit their sugar intake. There are many reasons to limit sugar, but just from an oral health perspective, sugar can do a lot of damage. Bacteria thrive on sugar, and the more they have, the more they multiply and begin to erode enamel. Once enamel is gone, bacteria create holes in the teeth, and you’ve got yourself a cavity.
So while it may not seem like much, tooth brushing and regular dental check-ups are an important part of making sure your child is healthy and growing. To promote good oral health, make sure you schedule a dental check-up online this fall!