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    7 Ways to Keep Your Child’s Tooth Enamel Strong

    Have you ever asked yourself what tooth enamel is? Not many people have.

    Tooth enamel is the very first line of defense that our teeth have against plaque and cavities. In simpler terms, it is the visible white part of the tooth and is also the toughest and hardest part of the human body. Your teeth need that type of protection to handle the abuse they take from the acids formed by cavity causing bacteria.

    What causes weak enamel in children’s teeth?

    Here are 5 factors that cause weak enamel in your child’s teeth:

    1. Problems faced while the child was in the utero
    2. Premature birth
    3. Certain medications that were consumed by the mother during pregnancy or by the child during infancy
    4. Eating a poor diet till the age of 5 years
    5. The mother’s dental hygiene during pregnancy
    6. The child may face diseases like pneumonia, high fever or infections which may affect oral health
    7. Lack of a proper mineral rich diet

    Here are 7 ways that you can protect your child’s tooth enamel and ensure that they have a healthy set of teeth:

    Make Sure that Your Child Brushes and Flosses Regularly with a Child-Friendly Brush

    Your choice of toothbrush for your child should be the one that gives better gentle care to his developing teeth and gums. Children also tend to apply more pressure which is harmful to their gums and wears down their developing layer of enamel.

    Make sure that your child brushes at least twice a day for roughly 2 minutes per session. After which he should follow it up with flossing once every day to clear the debris from the difficult places in your mouth. Regular brushing and flossing will prevent a buildup of plaque in your child’s mouth.

    Limit the Starchy Food Intake

    Starchy foods like French fries and potato chips are not good for your child’s teeth and neither are they healthy. The funny thing is that starch turns to sugar so fast that it increases the blood sugar levels even faster than table sugar. Sugar is generally very bad for your child’s enamel.

    Keep Your Child Away from Sugary Foods and Drinks

    Sugar is the best food for bacteria on your teeth, which causes plaque as well as acids being released on your child’s enamel which eventually leads to cavities. Limit the number of sugary foods your child consumes such as soft drinks and sweet foods. You can always check the back of the package for the sugar content just to be safe.

    Strong Tooth Enamel

    Add Calcium Rich Foods

    Calcium is a great dental mineral and is instrumental in developing and strengthening your child’s enamel. Calcium tends to neutralize any damaging acids on your teeth as well as protecting the enamel.

    Try and ensure that your child eats dairy products as they are rich in calcium. If your child is not inclined towards any dairy products then make sure to offer him some calcium-rich alternatives like kale, canned fish, soya beans, yogurt and almonds. You can check the packaging of any edible products you buy to ensure that your child gets his required dose of calcium.

    Cheese is a fantastic alternative among dairy products. I mean who doesn’t love cheese right? Cheese is a proper and delicious dental powerhouse that you can include in your child’s everyday meals.

    [su_note note_color=”#efefef”]Also read: 10 Simple Dental Health Tips to Maintain Oral Hygiene [/su_note]

    Rinse After Each Meal

    A great way to quickly remove food debris from your child’s mouth is by training them to rinse out their mouths right after their meals. Your child only has to do this for half a minute or so.

    Evaluate Your Child’s Oral Health from an Early Age

    Make sure that you consult and set up regular meetings with your family dentist to have your child’s dental health evaluated from a young age. This will keep your child’s teeth in great condition as well as spotting and preventing any oral problems that he might face. Consult and set up regular meetings with your family dentist for this.

    Use Fluoridated Toothpaste

    Fluoride toothpaste strengthens enamel through a process known as remineralization. When you want to decide upon the type of fluoride toothpaste that you want your child to use, make sure to buy toothpaste that has the ADA seal of approval to ensure that it has been pre-tested and approved.

    Hopefully this article has piqued your interest in introducing your child to pediatric dentistry at an early age. I hope this article was useful to you and helps you keep your child smiling all the time.

    [su_note note_color=”#efefef”]Also read: Whiter teeth? Let’s know about it….[/su_note]

    Grace Clark
    Grace Clark
    Grace is a dental marketer for Dr. Michael G.Long, DDS and a believer in holistic health. She writes on various dental topics focusing on healthy living and holistic health. When she’s not working or blogging, she enjoys spending her time with her family and volunteering at the local youth centers where she educates children about the importance of health and fitness.

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