Dentist Tips: Make Cavity Protection A Thrilling Game For Your Child

Getting your child to join in the fun of protecting his or her teeth from cavities is not always an easy task. But if you get a little creative, he or she may get excited about oral health, especially if you turn it into a game. And the following is just one idea that may help.

The Enemy

One of the most vital parts of any good superhero story is a good villain, and your child's teeth have formidable villains called oral pathogens. The following are a few ways you can introduce these villains to your child:

  • Show him or her a microscopic picture of bacteria.
  • Tell him or her that oral bacteria can eat the enamel, dentin, and the roots of his or her teeth.

You can also mention some of the consequences of losing to oral pathogens, like the following:

  • Cavities (or small holes that bacteria dug into teeth) are one of the most known effects of bacteria overgrowth. These holes are painful and can allow bacteria in the roots and nerves of your child's tooth, causing tooth loss.
  • Enamel erosion is another consequence of having an abundance of harmful bacteria in your mouth; this may cause sensitivity of your child's teeth. The loss of your child's enamel may make it painful to bite down, or eat a warm soup, or cold ice cream.

You can talk to your dentist about other dangers that could affect your child if he or she does not take this battle seriously.

Ready? Fight!

A good superhero has a few super powers to help him or her overcome the foe or danger, and the following are some of the powers your child has against bacteria:p

  1. Give your child an apple or a few strawberries a day, as these fruits contain "Super" malic acid that helps activate the salivary glands. Saliva, as your dentist may have told you, helps destroy bacteria and restore pH balance in the mouth. A balanced pH balance does not let bacteria survive or thrive for too long.
  2. You can also give your child the "Golden Rod," which is really just an organic cinnamon cassia stick dipped in raw honey. This is good for your child because cinnamon contains an active ingredient called cinnamic aldehyde that poisons oral pathogens to death. Raw honey is also good because it is antibacterial and has enzymes that help reduce the production of dextran (substance plaque uses to stick to your teeth).

Telling your child this gives him or her more control and responsibility over his or her teeth may help your kid develop true care for his or her oral health. For more ideas, consult with a dentist (like Ashton Randall P DDS).


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