Dental Caries (Cavities) Prevention in Children

Preventing cavities in children has been a career objective for Dr. Girdlestone, a board certified pediatric dentist, who provides dental caries (tooth decay/cavities) prevention in children at the Pediatric Dental Specialist office in Canton, Ohio

To prevent tooth decay, the main areas of focus involve oral hygiene and diet modifications. The NIH describes good oral hygiene as brushing the teeth a minimum of twice daily, flossing once a day, visiting the dentist every 6 months for a professional teeth cleaning and check-up, and having annual dental X-rays and an exam to identify any development of tooth decay. 

It is recommended to reduce a child’s intake of sugary drinks and foods. Limit snacking as well. It is better for a child to consume sugary foods as part of a meal, rather than as a snack. Also, consider having a child rinse their mouth out with water after meals or eating sugary foods, drinks, or juices if brushing their teeth immediately after is not an option. 

The Mayo Clinic suggests dental sealants to help prevent dental cavities. Dental sealants are professionally applied to children’s teeth, usually after the molars erupt. They are plastic-like thin coatings put on the surface of the molars to keep plaque from amassing.  

Fluoride is another decay preventing substance that can be consumed through drinking tap water, using fluoridated toothpaste, and having professional fluoride varnish treatments applied to children’s teeth. 

To schedule an appointment with our pediatric dentist, Dr. Steve Girdlestone, please phone 330-491-7777.