Tooth enamel is the first line of defense of your child’s teeth against cavities and plaque. It is a visible white part of the tooth and hardest part of the human body. However, your child tooth enamel needs the relevant protection to handle from acids destruction formed by the cavity caused by bacteria. These are some of the factors that cause weak enamel in your child’s teeth, they include the following;
• Premature birth.
• Eating a poor diet until the age of 5 years.
• Lack of proper mineral in the diet.
• The mother’s dental hygiene during pregnancy.
• Some of the medicine consumed during pregnancy or by the child during infancy.
• Diseases like high fever, or pneumonia that may affect your child oral health.
Here are ten ways to keep your child’s tooth enamel strong and ensure that they have healthy teeth:
Brush and floss regularly
Food remains left on child’s teeth will encourage the growth of bacteria that might damage their enamel and cause cavities. You should ensure you brush their teeth twice in a day and also floss their teeth regularly to remove debris. You can also assist your child to floss debris out the mouth. Therefore, brushing and flossing your child’s teeth are the best way protect plaque buildup.
Avoid excess sugary drinks and foods
Sugar accelerates the growth of bacteria on your child teeth that cause cavities and plague. Thus, you should limit your child from consuming sugary foods and drinks regularly. Before you buy snacks for your children, always check the sugar content on the package. You should also avoid sugary drinks such as fruit juice, sports drinks, and soda since they have a high content of sugar which might affect their teeth enamel.
Add calcium-rich foods
Calcium is one of super dental mineral because it neutralizes acids that damage enamel. Your child’s meal should have an adequate amount of calcium because it also protects enamel from damages. If your child does not consume calcium dairy you can add these foods to their meal; almond milk, kale, canned fish or soya beans among others. If you give your child packed foods as the source of calcium ensure they are adequate to him.
Use of fluoridated Toothpaste
Toothpaste contains fluoride which strengthens your child enamel through a process called demineralization. When you choose toothpaste that will be used by your child always makes sure it has ADA seal. This ensures it is strictly approved and tested to be used as the toothpaste.
Rinse after every meal
Your child should rinse their mouth immediately after meals to remove food debris. This should take about 2 minutes and then spit it out in a sink. Therefore, you should encourage them to do so after every meal to keep their mouth healthy and clean.
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Limit citrus
You should limit your child not to consume drinks and foods that contain the high amount of citric acid that can erode tooth enamel. Through a process called demineralization. These radical cases can lead to tooth pain and sensitivity. If your children consume meals or drinks with high citric acid, make sure they rinse with water for about 30 seconds to clean some of these acids.
Avoid over- brushing
It is important your child to brush and floss regularly but make sure he does not over brush the teeth. You should also teach them to adopt the habit of brushing while showing them proper technique. For example, make sure they use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush in a gentle motion this will prevent the enamel from destruction.
Evaluate the oral health of your child at an early stage.
You should visit and consult your dentist to evaluate your child’s dental health from a young age. This will help to detect any bad condition on enamel and also maintain their oral health properly. Visiting the dentist at an early age will also assist in assessing unwanted teeth removed from your child.
Limit the starchy food intake
Starchy foods such as potato chips and French fries are not good for your child’s teeth and also are not healthy. This is because starch turns into sugar and increases the blood sugar level compared to sugar table. However, sugar is bad for your child’s enamel.
Encourage your child to chew xylitol gum
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol gum that attracts the bacteria to it, thinking they can eat the gum. However, the bacteria cannot be able to break down xylitol gum. This means bacteria will starve to death if it is the only sugar around. Chewing xylitol gum has been found successfully reducing tooth decay and gum disease. It also promotes the production of saliva which increases the anti-bacterial forces in the mouth.
