Super smiles and bright futures: Tips for raising cavity-free kids

As a parent, keeping kids healthy can feel overwhelming, but a visit to the dentist is about more than just a good smile. Research shows poor oral health can be linked to heart disease and other serious conditions with lifelong impacts. That means caring for your child’s teeth isn’t just about cavities—it’s an investment in overall health.

Sorcha Harding, BDS, MS, a board-certified pediatric dentist and director of the predoctoral and graduate pediatric clinics at the Texas A&M University College of Dentistry, said a healthy mouth is critical for a lifetime of health. Although cavities are the most common concern in childhood oral health, prioritizing comprehensive dental care is critical for preventing future issues such as cavities, gum disease, gingivitis or other dental diseases.

Shield their smile

Children should begin having dental exams no later than one year of age or around six months after the first tooth has emerged, Harding said. Even if your child hasn’t begun cutting teeth by 12 months, Harding still recommends making an appointment.

“The research and the evidence show that the earlier we can get those preventive visits in, the easier the appointment, the financial cost will be reduced and overall, it sets children up for more positive dental experiences,” Harding said.

Cavities, which often are caused by excess sugar, are the most common dental issue among kids, Harding said. And juice can be an unsuspected culprit.

“Even if it’s 100 percent juice, there’s still sugars in those juices,” Harding said. “When you drink it, it’s really getting into every little space in between your teeth, including the spaces that you can’t clean with a toothbrush.”

Harding recommends children under three drink little to no juice, sticking primarily to water or milk.

Frequency matters, too, Harding said. When enjoying sweets, she recommends offering the treats at mealtimes and all at once, because consuming sugar throughout the day can lead to more buildup over time and increases risk for cavities.

Train like a tooth hero

The most important step in good dental hygiene is developing a good brushing routine. Harding recommends holding your child in a comfortable position and brushing for them until they are about three years of age or until they are able to brush their teeth themselves.

“A good test of whether your child is ready to brush their own teeth is if they can tie their own shoe laces. If they can, they have the dexterity required to brush correctly,” Harding said.

Once your child begins brushing by themselves, making it an enjoyable experience can help encourage good habits. Harding recommends using sticker charts, egg timers or playing a fun song to ensure adequate time spent brushing. Find something that works for your family and your child to encourage the habit, she said.

“We’re not going for perfection,” Harding said. “It’s about establishing the routine of putting a toothbrush with toothpaste in your mouth every day.”

Superpowers for strong teeth

Fluoride applications and sealants are common dental treatments that can help prevent cavities from developing. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral sometimes found in drinking water and certain toothpastes. If your local water is not fluoridated, or if your drinking water comes from a well, it’s particularly important to use fluoride toothpaste and receive fluoride treatments in a dental office. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentists (AAPD) recommends supplementing fluoride at each dental cleaning to enhance the remineralization of teeth. According to Harding, using fluoride treatment can not only prevent future cavities, but also prevent existing cavities from growing.

In addition to fluoride, sealants can be painted onto the teeth to provide a protective barrier and prevent any future or further damage. This treatment is typically recommended for those at high risk, as classified by Health and Human Services.

Children under 3 should be seen by a dentist every three months and then every six months after age 3. If your child is complaining of pain or discomfort, Harding said to get them in as soon as possible.

“The more you have those easy appointments in early life, hopefully we set them up for that good life course approach and we don’t get those horror stories of people being terrified to go to the dentist,” she said.

A hero’s guide to a bright smile

Parents do the best they can with the resources they have, Harding said, and dental health is no exception. She acknowledges that sometimes the task of taking your child to the dentist can be intimidating, and she encourages parents to verbalize any concerns or questions they have so the dentist can help.

For the best care, she recommends taking children to a pediatric dentist rather than a general dentist practice, which may help avoid changing practitioners in the case that something arises requiring expert treatment by a pediatric dentist. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry maintains a directory of pediatric dentists, searchable by area. Pediatric dental care can be daunting, Harding said, but it’s an investment that pays lifelong dividends.