If you have a small child, you may be concerned about the future of their teeth and gums. Dental cavities are common occurrences among youngsters and can ruin their dental health. 

Here is a bit of information about pediatric cavities and how they can be avoided.

Pediatric Cavities Can Occur as Soon as the Teeth Present

As soon as a baby's teeth erupt, they can incur a cavity. A cavity is caused by the dissolution of the tooth material. 

When a person, including a baby, eats or drinks a substance that contains sugar, the bacteria that reside in the mouth feed on the simplest form of the sugar content. As the microbes digest their meals, they release acidic waste that dissolves the tooth enamel.

Initially, the enamel may only appear weaker in certain areas. However, over time, the decay can progress, leading to the formation of holes, or cavities. 

Pediatric Cavities Are Not Always Due to Junk Food

Many parents may only associate the development of cavities with an unhealthy diet. However, even healthy, natural foods contain sugar. Milk, which is frequently considered to be a healthy pediatric drink, contains lactose. Likewise, fruit juices are naturally sweet because of the fructose that they contain. These sugars, although natural, still serve as food for oral bacteria.

Additionally, the starches in carbohydrates are partially broken down into simple sugars by enzymes in the saliva. Thus, the consumption of starchy foods, such as potatoes, may also result in a large release of cavity-causing acid in the mouth.

Avoiding Pediatric Cavities

Pediatric cavities can be avoided by limiting the amount of acid that accesses the teeth. Parents can assist in cavity prevention in several ways, including:

• Weaning their child. Children who are bottle-fed are more likely than cup-drinkers to have the liquids that they ingest rest on the teeth for prolonged periods. This extra time allows oral bacteria to feed longer and produce more acid.
• Having their child brush for at least two minutes twice daily. As a child brushes their teeth, they sweep away accumulations of plaque and bacteria. Additionally, they help neutralize the acids in the mouth.
• Ask the child's dentist for sealants. Dental sealants are small plastic barriers that the dentist applies to the chewing surfaces of the child's back teeth. These barriers prevent the acids from making direct contact with the covered portion of the tooth material.

To learn more ways to protect your child's dental health, schedule an appointment with a pediatric dentist, like Dentistry For Children & Adolescents, in your local area.