Hygiene instructions to prevent cavities in children

Hygiene instructions to prevent cavities in children

Taking care of oral hygiene is a habit that we must instill in children from a very young age to combat the most common oral disease: caries in children.

Teaching your children how to brush their milk teeth is a fundamental and daily task to prevent childhood cavities from appearing.

At Pronins, mothers and fathers frequently consult us on how to prevent childhood cavities.

First of all we will explain what caries is and then how to prevent it.
Caries is a very common childhood infectious disease that can have multiple causes. It consists of the destruction of the tooth tissues, caused by the demineralization of the dental enamel generated by the acids of the dental plaque.

This chronic disease, which, according to the Spanish Association of Dentists, affects 31% of children under 6 years of age, is generated when the child's diet is rich in sugars and correct oral hygiene is not carried out.
Dental hygiene habits for children

To prevent the appearance of dental caries, it is crucial to teach our children how to clean their teeth.

Encouraging them with the example of brushing after each meal, using toothpastes recommended by the Pediatric Dentist, will help your little ones acquire the habit of taking care of their oral health.

If you have doubts about correct oral hygiene in young children and whether kissing babies in the mouth transmits bacteria, we recommend reading our Blog.
Next, we will explain the different types of cavities that can affect the smallest patients.

Rampant or Lactation Caries

In the age group between 6 months and 5 years of age, the most frequent cavities are rampant caries from lactation or baby bottle caries. It is a cavity that can affect milk teeth. It is characterized by being aggressive and rapidly advancing, mainly affecting the upper incisor teeth.

The risk factors for caries of this type are: a) lack of oral hygiene after the child takes the breast or bottle; b) the habit of dipping the pacifier in honey, sugar or milk, and c) falling asleep with the bottle in the mouth, among others.
Occlusal caries

This type of caries forms on the surface of the tooth, when brushing does not completely remove food debris between the teeth.
Interproximal caries

Together with occlusal caries, it is the most frequent caries after 6 years of age. They are generated in the spaces between the teeth, so it is common for it to affect two teeth.

It is also frequent in cases of dental crowding, orthodontics and other conditions where dental cleaning is difficult.
Suffering from caries in childhood makes it more likely that the permanent teeth will also be affected, so it is essential to take care of the health of the oral cavity from an early age.

At Pronins, in Palma de Mallorca, in addition to offering treatment for cavities, we help you teach dental hygiene to your children.
Remember the importance of visiting the Pediatric Dentist twice a year, to carry out dental cleaning and review or doubts about oral hygiene carried out by your children.

The prevention and early detection of childhood caries is the best medicine for your children to enjoy healthy and full teeth and a smile, in their childhood and throughout their lives.
Do you have more questions about the prevention of childhood cavities? Write us your question and we will help you.