From booking frequent Alamo Ranch kid’s teeth cleanings to not overindulging in certain treats, it’s important to be mindful of how our children’s habits can impact the strongest yet most vulnerable part of a tooth: the enamel. Enamel is the hard, outermost layer of the tooth that serves as the protective layer. By educating yourselves on the enemies of enamel now, you can take steps today toward safeguarding your child’s smile tomorrow!
Chewy, Sticky Foods & Supplements
To ensure optimal oral health for children, it is crucial to go beyond regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups. Implementing a healthy diet plays a crucial role in maintaining kids’ teeth. While dried fruits like raisins, apricots, or gummy vitamins may seem like sound choices, they can surprisingly harm tooth enamel.
How does this happen? The naturally occurring sugars present in fruits react with oral bacteria, producing acid. When consumed in dried form, the fruit tends to stick to the teeth for extended periods, increasing exposure to harmful acids.
Opting for fresh, fibrous fruits is a preferable alternative as they possess a high water content, which helps wash away sugars and promotes saliva flow. If your children occasionally consume gummy vitamins or dried fruit, they should rinse their mouth with water to eliminate any remnants thoroughly. By promoting these dental hygiene practices, you can ensure the long-term well-being of your kids’ teeth.
Not Drinking Enough Water
Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of tooth enamel, benefiting not just kids but everyone. It contains essential minerals like calcium and phosphate ions that serve a dual purpose: neutralizing plaque acids and initiating the remineralization process. During remineralization, the minerals that were lost during acid attacks are replenished, helping to strengthen the enamel. Apart from neutralizing acids, saliva acts as a natural cleanser by washing away food particles and keeping the teeth clean. However, it’s important to note that saliva alone cannot accomplish this task entirely.
Water, mainly when it contains fluoride, plays a significant role in oral hygiene by aiding in the remineralization process. Therefore, it is essential to drink an adequate amount of water to stimulate saliva production. While saliva provides numerous benefits, certain factors can lead to decreased saliva production. These include certain medications like antihistamines, dehydration, and various health conditions. Additionally, saliva flow tends to slow down during the night. To ensure the maintenance of solid tooth enamel in children, it is crucial to encourage them to consume plenty of water throughout the day.
Carbonated Drinks
If you’re striving to increase your child’s water intake, reach for the still variety. Although soda is widely recognized as detrimental to oral health, it is worth noting that sparkling water can also have adverse effects on children’s tooth enamel. While sugar is a known culprit for causing cavities, the carbonation present in fizzy drinks contributes to the problem as well.
The bubbles in carbonated drinks, which are a result of carbon dioxide, undergo a chemical reaction when they encounter the mouth. This reaction transforms the gases into carbonic acid, which can lead to erosion of the tooth enamel. Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the impact of carbonated drinks on oral health and take necessary precautions to protect the enamel.
Forgetting to Book Alamo Ranch Kid’s Teeth Cleanings
As parents, we always want the best for our children and do everything in our power to ensure their well-being, health, and happiness. But when it comes to protecting their teeth, many of us may unknowingly make mistakes that could seriously impact our kids’ dental health. One way to ensure that their smiles are well taken care of is by regularly scheduling Alamo Ranch kid’s teeth cleanings and checkups at least once every six months. Alamo Ranch Children’s Dentistry and Braces is an excellent option for parents looking for a reliable and trustworthy pediatric dentist. By scheduling regular appointments, your child’s enamel is protected from decay and damage, which can lead to more serious oral health problems down the line. So don’t wait—call (210) 985-8950 or fill out our virtual form to schedule your child’s next Alamo Ranch kid’s teeth cleaning and checkup!
