How to Keep Your Child’s Smile Free From Enamel Erosion

Your child deserves a strong and healthy smile. Unfortunately, there are many things in the world today that can threaten your child’s teeth and gums and cause damage. It’s best to help your child avoid those dental issues as much as possible. Today, our dentists, Dr. Jessie Hunter and Dr. Karen Coe, are happy to teach you how to help your child prevent enamel erosion. Enamel erosion occurs when your child’s teeth are frequently exposed to acid. The acid wears down the tooth enamel and makes it weak and vulnerable. Some ways to help your child prevent enamel erosion are:

-Avoid giving them acidic foods and beverages: The acid from these products are what attack the teeth and wear down the tooth enamel. The less acidic products you can give your child, the better. Instead, give them tooth-healthy foods, like fruits, vegetables and dairy products.

-Strengthen their teeth with fluoride: Fluoride is a natural mineral that dives into the tooth enamel and strengthens it. This makes the enamel a tough shell that resists the influence of acid. Do your best to expose your child’s teeth to fluoride regularly. However, this is only recommended if your child is older than 3 years old.

-Wait to brush: If you give your child an acidic food or beverage, don’t immediately brush their teeth. This is because the bristles will help the acid wear down the tooth enamel rather than stop it. So, make sure to wait 30 minutes to brush their teeth.

For more information and details about how to prevent enamel erosion in Allen, Texas, please contact Allen Pediatric Dentistry at your earliest convenience. When you dial 972-535-8169, our dental team will be happy to give you the answers and help you need!