A:
Okay, here’s something you probably didn’t
know: dental caries (better known as tooth decay or
cavities) is a disease, not just a hole in a tooth.
Actually, it’s the single most common chronic
childhood disease—far more common than asthma
and obesity, according to the California Dental Association.
And to make matters worse, tooth decay is contagious,
just like the measles, the flu, and small pox. The
bacteria that cause decay can be passed from one person
to another by kissing or sharing drinking cups or
silverware.
Pain
and suffering due to untreated tooth decay can lead
to problems in eating, speaking and paying attention
in school. In other words, cavities hurt. And having
them filled hurts too. (New laser treatments are promising
to make cavities and fillings pain free. But don’t
tell mention that to your child.)
One
way to avoid cavities is to make sure your child brushes
twice a day, every day with a soft brush. This comes
directly from the top, the ADA. Unfortunately, until
your child is about six years old, he won’t
have the coordination to brush his teeth on his own.
He can get the process started, but you’ll need
to give his mouth a once-over to make sure the job
gets done right.
As
your child gets older, show him how to brush with
a fluoride toothpaste and floss on his own. There
are all kinds of flavored flosses out there that you
can buy to make to task less onerous. You also might
want to pick up some disclosing tablets or drops at
your local pharmacy. You may remember these tablets
from grade school. When you chew them or swish the
drops around any unbrushed spots on the teeth will
show up red. Use the tablets or drops every day for
the first week that your child is brushing solo. Then
cut back to once or twice a week.
If
your child refuses to brush, you’ve got a few
options.
- Sticks. Taking away some privileges
or treats until the teeth start gleaming.
- Carrots. Incentives and rewards
for doing the job right. This is generally more
successful then punishment.
- Scare tactics. Caring for your
teeth and gums does more than improve your smile
and your breath. The bacteria that cause tooth
decay can get into the bloodstream, where they
increase the risk of ulcers, pneumonia, digestive
problems, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
This is absolutely true.
- Gum and candy. Yep. But not
just any kind. It has to be sugar free and sweetened
with xylitol, a natural sweetener that keeps bacteria
from sticking to teeth. Chewing gum with xylitol
for five minutes after each meal has been shown
to reduce cavities.
- Sealants. About 80 percent
of cavities in kids are on the tops of their molars,
and studies have shown that sealing these teeth
with a special kind of resin is extremely successful
in preventing cavities.
About
the Author:
Armin Brott bestselling books have helped millions
of men around the world become the fathers they want
to be—and their children need them to be. His
most recent is Fathering
Your School-Age Child: A Dad's Guide to the Wonder
Years
.
Armin has been a guest on hundreds of radio and television
shows, writes a nationally syndicated column, “Ask
Mr. Dad,” and hosts a weekly radio show. He
and his family live in Oakland, California. You can
contact him at armin@mrdad.com.
