Turn Down Decay



3 Ways To Improve Your Child’s Smile While They Are In School

Everyone has germs in their mouth, but large amounts of bacteria floating around your child’s mouth can wreak havoc on the overall health of their smile. Bacteria begin to turn inward and destroy the gums, teeth, and health of their little bodies when they do not brush, floss and visit the dentist regularly. Large amounts of cavities can also be a problem if they are eating high sugary foods at school, but not brushing until they get home, several hours later. Pediatric dentist Dr. Cameron Fuller says, “Just because your little one is heading back to school doesn’t mean you can’t help set up healthy habits to improve their smile.”  
 In order to help your child out, pack water in their lunch boxes instead of juice. Water will help remove sticky food from the enamel of teeth. Once food sticks to the enamel it turns into bacteria that can eat way at the hard, outer protective shell of their teeth. 
 Provide healthy fruits and vegetables for their snack. Cookies and crackers stick to the teeth more than foods with a high-water concentration. “A moist mouth has fewer bacteria than a dry mouth,” says Dr. Fuller. 
 Have your child brush as soon as they get home from school. It may not be ideal for them to have a toothbrush in their backpack, but they can certainly brush their teeth when they walk in the door, and this will help remove any food from the surface of their teeth. 
Decay is a childhood disease that impacts thousands of children a day. Don’t let your little one be another decay statistic. 

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