A child's smile is a pretty wonderful thing — and with a little care and regular visits, most kids can grow into adulthood without ever having a cavity. Here's what that looks like day to day.
How cavities start
Teeth are constantly covered in a thin, sticky film of bacteria called plaque. When your child eats or drinks something with sugar or starch, those bacteria produce acid — and that acid goes right to work on tooth enamel. Enough acid attacks, over enough time, and you get a cavity. That's really all tooth decay is.
The good news: it's almost entirely preventable.
The daily stuff
Brushing twice a day and flossing are the two habits that do most of the work. A pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste is plenty — no need for more. Most kids are ready to brush on their own around age seven, but every child is different, so trust what you're seeing.
Pick a child-size toothbrush with soft bristles, and swap it out every three to four months (or sooner if it starts looking worn). That's it — nothing fancy.
Fluoride, explained
Fluoride is a mineral that strengthens tooth enamel and helps protect against decay. You'll find it in most toothpastes, and in some cases we'll prescribe a supplement. Whether your child needs extra fluoride depends on what's in your drinking water — some communities already have enough, and some don't.
Ask us at your child's next visit. We'll look at where you live, what your child is drinking, and what makes sense.
When to bring them in
Start regular checkups by your child's second birthday. Cleanings, fluoride treatments, and a good look from one of us are the best "smile insurance" a kid can have. When we need them, we'll take X-rays to check how the adult teeth are developing and catch anything hiding below the surface. More on what to expect at your child's visits is on our Kids' Info page.
We'll keep the visits short, friendly, and low-pressure. The goal is for your child to walk out feeling like the dentist isn't a big deal — because it really isn't.
There's nothing quite like a kid's smile. With a little care and regular visits, most of our patients grow up cavity-free — and that's a pretty great place to start.