Two ways to reduce your child's risk of getting dental caries
Dental caries (i.e. holes that form in teeth) can be painful, can put a person at risk of dental infections and usually need to be treated by placing a filling inside the tooth cavity.
As such, it's sensible to do everything you can to lower your child's risk of experiencing this issue. Here are some ways that you can do this.
Don't give them an electric toothbrush
Electric toothbrushes can be very effective at removing food and plaque from a person's teeth due to how quickly the bristles rotate. Given this, you might be considering buying this type of toothbrush for your child. However, it is not necessarily a good idea to give a child a toothbrush like this (particularly a very young child, such as a toddler).
The reason for this is as follows; it is extremely important to avoid using too much pressure when using an electric toothbrush. This is because when the speedily rotating bristles are pressed against the tooth surface in an aggressive manner, they can abrade the enamel.
If your child's enamel sustains damage, the chances of dental caries forming the affected teeth will be much higher, as the layers of the tooth below the enamel are very weak and can be destroyed quite rapidly by bacterial plaque.
Unfortunately, a young child will probably struggle to apply just the right amount pressure when using an electric toothbrush, especially if they (like many children) dislike dental hygiene tasks and thus tend to rush through the brushing process. As such, it is best to provide them with a manual brush instead.
Take them to the local children's dentist if they complain of tooth sensitivity
If your child often complains of tooth sensitivity after they eat ice cream, drink cold water or eat spicy foods, then it is important to book them an appointment with your local children's dentist.
The reason for this is as follows; tooth sensitivity can often be an indication of enamel erosion. This is because, after the enamel has worn away, the layer below it (called the 'dentin') will end up being exposed to all of the food and drink that your child consumes.
The tooth's dentin layer is far more sensitive than the enamel, and as such, may cause your child pain when hot or cold foods come into contact with it. As mentioned above, dental caries are far more likely to form if the enamel of a tooth is damaged and the weaker layers underneath it are left exposed.
If the dentist concludes that your child's tooth sensitivity is the result of the erosion of their enamel, they may apply a sealant to the affected teeth (to protect the tooth structure from plaque bacteria).
Additionally, they may recommend that you increase the frequency of your child's visits to the dental hygienist and that you reassess their diet (as a diet that is comprised primarily of foods high in sugar will worsen this issue)