cepillado de dientes

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Varios tipos específicos de bacterias que viven en los dientes causan caries. Cuando se consume azúcar, las bacterias usan el azúcar y luego fabrican ácidos que disuelven los dientes y causan una infección en el diente. Esta infección se llama caries.

What Is Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

Bebés que se acuestan con un biberón de leche., fórmula, o jugo son más propensos a desarrollar caries. Porque el azúcar en la fórmula, Leche, o el jugo permanece en contacto con los dientes durante mucho tiempo durante la noche, los dientes pueden deteriorarse rápidamente.

Some Tips To Avoid Early Childhood Tooth Decay

  • Put your child to bed with a bottle of plain water, not milk or juice.
  • Stop nursing when your child is asleep or has stopped sucking on the bottle.
  • Try not to let your child walk around using a bottle of milk or juice as a pacifier.
  • Start to teach your child to drink from a cup at about six months of age. Plan to stop using a bottle by 12 a 14 months at the latest.
  • Don’t dip your child’s pacifier in honey or sugar.

What Is Fluoride?

El flúor ayuda a fortalecer los dientes y previene las caries. If the water where you live does not have enough fluoride, your doctor may prescribe fluoride supplements (fluoride drops or pills). You would give these drops or pills every day, starting when your child is about six months old. Only give as much as the directions say to use because too much fluoride can cause spots on your child’s teeth. También, be sure to call your local water authority and ask if your water is fluoridated. Si se trata de, tell your dentist or pediatrician so that your child is not being over fluoridated. Children should take these drops or pills until they are 12 a 16 años (or until you move to an area with fluoride in the water).