Prevention

The best offense is a good defense.

A healthy kid is a happy kid, and oral hygiene can affect everything from nutrition and self-esteem to academics and speech.

Leap is here to help parents with prevention. Our goal is to give families the tools and resources to make caring for teeth an easy and everyday habit. After your first visit, we recommend an appointment every six months. This helps everyone stay on top of things while also establishing consistency for your child to form good habits.

Learn more about Preventative Dentistry from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry

Brushing

It’s best to brush twice a day, once in the morning and then again before bed. You’ll want to have a small and soft brush with rounded bristles that isn’t more than three-months-old. Use small circle motions to brush gums and teeth, but try not to brush too hard or you may do some damage. Brush all around, but especially on your back teeth, and make sure to not forget your tongue.

Flossing

Flossing helps remove plaque between teeth and prevent gum disease. These areas are hard to reach with a toothbrush, making it important to floss every day. Carefully work the floss between each of your teeth and towards your gums. Be sure to get beneath the gums and move up and down several times.

Nutrition

You probably know sugar can cause cavities. But did you know that starch can be a problem too? When starch is broken down, it can turn into sugar. Try substituting sugary and starchy foods and drinks with friendlier foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products like cheese and yogurt and swap out juice and soda with milk and water.

Caries & Cavities

Good hygiene is the first step towards preventing cavities. Through better care and nutrition, we can help our kids avoid unhealthy teeth. Caries is the medical term for the disease that leads to cavities. By creating an environment for strong and beautiful teeth, we can keep our children from ever going down a road of poor hygiene that leads to caries and then, ultimately, to cavities.

Xylitol is a natural sugar that can get rid of the bacteria known to create cavities. It also has other benefits including preventing ear infections. At Leap Kids Dental, we recommend using products sweetened with Xylitol such as mints, gums and rinses. Using these products consistently over time can help keep your child from getting cavities.