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"Soft" Teeth
Cavities Waiting to Happen By Felicia Hodges
"Mikey probably won't have his other cavities filled until Kasey is done, since her problems seemed to be more urgent," McGrath says. "And she is a twin. Her other brother hasn't had his first visit yet, and we still have one to go after him. Who knows how many cavities we'll have then?"
Minimizing Cavities
Although genetics may play a role in conditions like "soft" teeth, here are some ways that you can help keep the number of cavities your children get to a minimum:
- Watch the sugar. Not only are candy bars, cookies and soda loaded with sugars, but many seemingly healthier products like chocolate-covered granola bars and yogurt also contain lots of the sweet stuff as well. Read the labels and know what your child is eating at home and school.
- Brush after every meal. Even when brushing isn't possible (like after school lunch), remind your child to rinse with water after he or she eats. This will help keep the sugars as well as the bacteria that eats it and causes decay from forming.
- Floss every day. Most dentists advise that flossing begin as soon as your child has two adjacent teeth. "Most cavities form in the pits of the molars or between teeth, spots that the bristles of a toothbrush can't get to," Dr. Foster says. Flossing helps get rid of plaque and bacteria in hard-to-reach areas.
- Visit the dentist regularly. The first visit should be around your child's 4th birthday. That way, problems can be spotted early and treatments can begin before things get too out of control. Subsequent visits are usually set at six-month intervals, unless there is a problem that requires a more frequent examination.