When you stop to think about all the possible repercussions of tooth decay you can realize why pediatric dentistry has recognized it as a disease. In fact tooth decay is more prevalent than childhood asthma.
The best way to prevent the consequences of tooth decay is to treat it at its earliest stage. There are some early indications that a cavity may be forming. A change in the color of your child’s tooth is one of the first signs. You may notice white spots on the surface of the tooth that will get progressively darker until you can actually see a hole in the tooth – that is the cavity. Tooth sensitivity is another early sign. If your child tells you that his tooth hurts when he drinks something cold it may mean that he is getting a cavity. Any of these symptoms should prompt a visit to your pediatric dentist for further evaluation and treatment.
Prevention is even better than early diagnosis. Studies in the field of pediatric dentistry has produced significant evidence that certain dietary habits and oral health practices can have an influence on the number of cavities a child may experience.
There is no question that sugar is bad for a child’s teeth and that brushing and flossing regularly is the best home recipe for the prevention of cavities. A possibly lesser known factor is that a parent can pass their own cavity causing bacteria to their child just by sharing foods!
Kaelin Pediatric Dentistry welcomes questions from parents and can give you more tips for preventing childhood cavities. Call Dr. Kaelin @ 303-805-8266.
