10 Tips to help prevent cavities in your child

The end of year rush in on. You know – the official time to get all of your appointments in before your benefits for the year expire. I’m sure I’m not the only person who does this!

I was shocked at the kids’ dentist appointment to find out that my 7 year old son had his very first cavity, especially after having had a great check up just 6 months ago.

Mom guilt (and dental hygienist guilt) set in quickly when I was told that these type of cavities in your child are completely preventable with proper and regular flossing… Ugh… Flossing. The necessary evil that I really wish there was some way around, but alas, there is not.

So, to give you a little refresher in case you’re in the same boat as I am, here are 10 Tips to help prevent cavities in your child:

1. Brush and floss regularly: Brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. Consider using an electronic toothbrush such as Arm & Hammer™ Kid’s Spinbrush™ to help your smaller, independent kids to get all those hard to reach places.
2. Don’t share your food and drink: I remember this from a mom and baby class when my kids were younger. Cavities can actually be contagious because the bacteria that causes them can be passed from one user to the next, it’s best to avoid sharing foods and drinks with children.
3. Visit to the dentist: Most dentists recommend you should bring your child to a dentist after their first tooth arrives. Then, thereafter, based on the recommendation of your dentist – usually every 6 months.
4. Avoid frequent snacking: Constant snacking, particularly on sweets, provides the perfect environment for cavity-inducing bacteria to do their work. Limit snacking to healthy foods, and encourage your children to brush, or drink/flush their mouths out with water after snacking.
5. Eat crisp, water-dense fruit and veggies: Fruits and veggies high in water help keep your child’s mouth hydrated, among the other benefits to eating lots of fruits and veggies!
6. Avoid additional sugar: Good for the body and good for your teeth. Pop is especially troublesome, so try to steer clear when you can.
7. Consider dental sealants: Your dentist can place a protective sealant on your child’s teeth to that will prevent decay. The process is simple and can save headaches in the future.
8. Drink a lot of water: Water should be the beverage of choice. Bottled water is okay, but fluoridated tap water is best. Use a filter if you are concerned about the quality of your local tap water.
9. Minimize juice consumption: Everything in moderation of course, 100% can be good for you, but juices can be acidic, and sweet – two things that are not so good for our teeth.
10. Avoid sticky foods: Fruit leathers, cookies and candies aren’t good choices for healthy teeth any day of the week.

To help your kids stay cavity free, I have partnered with our family’s most trusted brands to give you an awesome giveaway valued at $100!

• Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Truly Radiant™ Deep Clean Manual Toothbrush
• Arm & Hammer™ Truly Radiant™ Rejuvenating Toothpaste
• Arm & Hammer™ Kid’s Spinbrush™ My Little Pony™ Battery Brush
• Arm & Hammer™ Spinbrush™ Super Mario Bros™ Battery Brush
• Nair™ Moroccan Argan Oil Face Wax
• Batiste™ Blush Dry Shampoo
• RUB A535™ Nighttime
• Gravol™ Natural Source Ginger Liquid Gels
• Gravol™ Multi-symptom™
• Vitafusion™ Men’s Complete Multivitamin
• Vitafusion™ Women’s Complete Multivitamin

Do your kids have any cavities? How old were they/you when you got your first cavity?

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