What Is the Oral Microbiome?

For parents, we understand that maintaining your kids’ dental health can be a struggle, as most kids love candy and do not love brushing their teeth. However, the CDC has declared tooth decay (or cavities) as “the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States,” so it's important to help your kids learn good habits early. 

At RiseWell, we are all about happier and healthier smiles for your entire family. To help, we are excited to share a quick guide on some dentist recommended ways to guarantee your children a lifetime of healthy smiles.

What Is a Cavity?

The best way to prevent a potential problem is to better understand the problem first. So what is a cavity?

A cavity is simply the result of a decaying tooth. This decay can affect both the outer coating (enamel) and inner layer (dentine) of a tooth. It then degenerates into an opening or hole (the cavity) that can cause a terrible toothache, infection, and even tooth loss.

How Does a Cavity Occur?

Simply put, eating food/drinking sugary beverages + improper brushing = cavity.

Cavities occur when bacteria and food residue, left on the teeth after eating, are not adequately brushed away. This residue accumulates and acidifies on the teeth, causing the enamel to soften and leading to the formation of a hole or cavity. The image below helps to visualize what can happen when a cavity forms and the various stages of progression a cavity can go through if left untreated.

Signs and Symptoms of Cavities.

Most people do not have any symptoms at first, but begin to develop them as the cavity gets larger.

Here are the most common early signs and symptoms that indicate you or your child may be developing a cavity:

• Pain or toothache that happens without warning;
• Pain when you bite;
• Pain when you eat or drink sweet, hot, or cold food or beverages;
• Sensitive teeth;
• Holes or unusual openings in your teeth;
• Black or brown tooth stains.

What Should Parents Do to Keep Their Kids Cavity Free?

The key here is prevention. So here are our 5 preventive steps for parents to take to protect their children’s teeth from decay while maintaining excellent oral health.

1. Visit your dentist early and regularly: Many parents wonder, “When should my child first visit the dentist?” The answer is typically by the time their first tooth appears, or by their first birthday. It is crucial to note that some kids find the dentist’s office scary. So you must try to always make it a fun, fear-free first visit for your kids so that they can build a positive perception of dental checks and their dental care in general. Click here to learn more about kids’ first dental visits!
   
   
2.  Make “dental care” a magic word: You know how you teach your kids that “please” and “thank you” are magic words? Well, you also need to be teaching them the importance of dental care in the same way. Guide them so they learn to brush their teeth and floss, both at least twice a day. 
   
   Regular tooth brushing is the easiest way to prevent cavity formation. In addition, choose a toothbrush designed for children, like RiseWell’s Kids Bamboo Toothbrush. This toothbrush remains soft and gentle on your little one’s teeth while still cleaning effectively. Finally, be sure to brush your young child’s teeth for them at first, and then continue to supervise their teeth brushing until about the third or fourth grade.
   
   We cover more helpful brushing tips here!
   
   

3. Beware of foods that promote cavities: Avoid giving your kids acidic beverages like sodas, and sticky or processed foods that contain lots of sugar. These types of foods and beverages contribute to cavity formation by promoting the growth of harmful bacteria and weakening tooth enamel.

4. Incorporate foods and snacks that prevent cavities: For many parents, this is the fun part. Add more foods and snacks that contribute to cavity prevention to your kids’ diet. 

   Prime examples of anti-cavity foods to consider include:

   • Cheese — it is rich in calcium which helps neutralize acids in the mouth, promoting a healthy pH;
   • Yogurt — its probiotic properties promote beneficial bacteria that support a healthy, balanced oral microbiome;
   • Crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery — these stimulate saliva production, which helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids.
     
     

5. Choose an effective mineral toothpaste for kids: All-natural mineral toothpastes like RiseWell’s Kids Mineral Toothpaste and Kids PRO Mineral Toothpaste are the perfect choice for your kids. These toothpastes contain a natural ingredient, hydroxyapatite, which remineralizes the teeth and protects them from cavities. They are also made without fluoride and other toxic ingredients often found in traditional toothpaste, so you know they are completely safe.

   Lastly, they taste like yummy cake batter! This creates a fun teeth-brushing experience for your kids and makes them more willing to take care of their teeth every day.

Start Every Day Well with RiseWell. Taking proactive steps towards your child’s oral help can make a significant difference. By instilling good habits early on and choosing RiseWell’s natural products, you empower your child with a brighter and healthier smile for years to come. And they will certainly thank you in the future for giving them a lifetime of confident and cavity-free smiles!