Can You Reverse Tooth Decay?
Portland, OR
 From first words to simple foods, the baby teeth are very important to the growth of strong and healthy children. Because they have a softer enamel than permanent teeth, they can become more vulnerable to the effects of sugary drinks and sweet treats. Even with regular brushing and dental visits, your child may be at risk for tooth decay. If caught early, further damage can be prevented or even reversed. Here at Great Grins for KIDS - Portland, we want to protect those precious smiles and are dedicated to helping you do what is best for the teeth of your child.
Protecting My Child's Teeth
Many of us have used our mouths to clean a pacifier or test the temperature of our child's food, but what you may not know if you could be unwillingly transferring the bacteria that cause tooth decay to them through your saliva. Through protecting our mouths first, we can prevent much of the early damage that comes from harmful dental bacteria. With regular checkups to your dentist and working with your child at home, we are confident in our ability to help you overcome the effects of decay.
Tooth decay is a slow process and easily prevented. Cavities occur because of bacteria living in a thin film on your teeth. These bacteria exist on the sugars left in your mouth after meals that then produce acid as waste. High levels of acid can cause the enamel, which is the protective layer of your teeth, to soften and wear away. Because children's teeth are already so soft, they are more vulnerable to the risk, which is why it is so important to see your child's dentist at the first signs.
There are treatments for each stage, but the best method is to try to prevent plaque before it even begins. Your child's diet plays a large part in the health of their teeth. By limiting candies, cookies, cakes, and sweet treats in general, it can go a long way towards helping them preserve the soft enamel. Teaching your child to brush their teeth after breakfast and before bed is a useful tip in helping prevent plaque buildup. If your child goes to bed with a bottle, be sure to use only water, as the sugar in lactose can pool in the mouth, around the teeth, and serve as a food source for decay-causing bacteria.
Introducing low-sugar foods into their diets when they begin solid foods will help provide the best foundation for beginning oral care. Including sources of calcium, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, will help keep the enamel strong throughout the duration of the baby teeth. Eliminating snacks between meals also helps bring down the levels of sugar going into the mouth. Drinking only water when you are thirsty helps keep the mouth clean as well.
Discoloration around your children's teeth that resemble white, yellow, brown, or black spots, are the first signs of tooth decay. The earlier they are detected, the sooner they can be treated, and your child can be back on the road to good oral health. If you have any concerns, please make an appointment with Great Grins for KIDS - Portland at (971) 470-0054 today and we will be happy to help you!
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