As a parent, you want to ensure your child has great dental health. Learn more about remineralizing teeth and how it benefits your child.
How Can I Remineralize My Child’s Teeth?
If your child’s teeth have started to weaken and change shape or color, you may need to help remineralize their teeth. Not sure where to begin? From making dietary changes to improving oral hygiene practices, we’ll guide you through several steps you can take to improve dental health and reduce mineral loss in the tooth enamel.
1. Understanding Remineralization
Tooth enamel comprises minerals like calcium and phosphate. Over time, natural processes like consuming sugary or acidic foods and drinks or not having enough saliva can contribute to demineralization. Also, as your child ages, they may lose some of the minerals in their teeth from bacteria or mouth acid.
While tooth demineralization happens naturally, problems start to occur when your child doesn’t replace the minerals as fast as they’re losing them. Luckily, there are ways to replenish the minerals and prevent the demineralization process from harming their teeth. Methods like fluoride treatments and calcium supplements can improve the remineralization of teeth and ensure your child has a happy, healthy smile for many years to come.
2. Dietary Recommendations
Your child’s diet can have a big impact on the overall health and appearance of their teeth. To remineralize baby teeth, ensure they are consuming foods that are rich in calcium and phosphates. The body uses these minerals to coat the enamel and help strengthen the teeth. Because your child can naturally lose these minerals, it’s important to make sure they’re replenishing their body’s supply.
Also, it’s best to avoid sugary and acidic foods. These types of foods create an environment in the mouth that supports demineralization. Bacteria thrive off sugar, which then leads to plaque and cavities. Even foods and drinks like bread and fruit juices can add a lot of sugar to the diet and contribute to an acidic environment in the mouth, causing demineralization.
3. Fluoride Treatments
While fluoride occurs naturally in some foods and water, it’s also important to ensure your child is getting enough to strengthen their teeth’s enamel. Fluoride is important because it helps resist acid and protect against bacteria and plaque — and can even help improve tooth strength.
This mineral is available in many forms, ranging from at-home fluoride products to professional treatments at your orthodontist’s office. Using fluoride toothpaste or rinses at home can help prevent tooth decay and strengthen your child’s teeth. It’s also important to schedule regular professional treatments to ensure your child’s teeth are fully protected and less susceptible to mineral loss.
4. Calcium Supplements
Because calcium is so important for dental health, it’s important to ensure children eat a calcium-rich diet. Eating foods like kale, almond milk and dairy products like cheese daily can increase calcium intake. If your child can’t consume enough calcium in a day, there are calcium supplements available that can provide an extra boost of this important mineral.
5. Oral Hygiene Tips
Another effective way to remineralize baby teeth is to ensure children follow proper brushing and flossing techniques. Any time food particles are left on the teeth for long periods, bacteria can start to grow. Regularly brushing and flossing each day removes this bacteria and can help reduce plaque buildup and cavities.
6. Hydration Importance
Ensuring your child drinks enough water each day can help reduce demineralization, as well. When they don’t have enough saliva present in their mouth, it’s harder for their body to get rid of acid and remineralize their teeth. Even a quick 30-second rinse with water after eating can help cut down on the bacteria present in your child’s mouth.
Schedule a Visit With Fox Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics for Dental Care
With our team of friendly dentists and compassionate care for children of all ages, Fox Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics is here to create a warm and welcoming experience. Call us at 503-223-5039 or contact us online to schedule a visit and learn more about our personalized dental care.