How do I prevent childhood cavities?

Cavities are one of the problems which needs to be taken care of from childhood. to prevent cavities it is important to maintain good habits and orals hygiene. Here's how to keep cavities away:

• Start good oral habits early. Teach kids to brush at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and to floss regularly.
• Get enough Fluoride. Regular use of fluoride toughens the enamel, making it harder for acid to penetrate. Although many towns require tap water to be fluoridated, others don't. If your water supply is not fluoridated or if your family uses purified water, ask your dentist for fluoride supplements. Most toothpastes contain fluoride but toothpaste alone will not fully protect a child's teeth. Be careful, however, since too much fluoride can cause tooth discoloration. Check with your dentist before supplementing.
• Limit or avoid some foods. Sugary foods, juices, candy (especially sticky gummy candy, gummy vitamins, or fruit leather or "roll-ups") can erode enamel and cause cavities. If your kids eat these foods, have them rinse their mouth or brush their teeth after eating to wash away the sugar. The same goes for taking sweetened liquid medicines: always have kids rinse or brush afterward.

As your child's permanent teeth grow in, the dentist can help prevent decay by applying a thin wash of resin (called a sealant) to the back teeth, where most chewing is done. This protective coating keeps bacteria from settling in the hard-to-reach crevices of the molars. But make sure that kids know that sealants aren't a replacement for good brushing and regular flossing.

Cavities can be painful and are usually a sign of bad oral hygiene. The reason why kids are more prone to cavities is that they love eating sweet and sticky food- chocolate, toffee, cakes, etc. Cavities are caused if the food stays on our teeth for too long, it starts decomposing and the bacteria act on the teeth too. Plus, poor oral hygiene can also cause several throat infections. 

Cavities can be easily prevented by maintaining basic oral hygiene. 

1. Brushing the teeth twice daily. You can explain the importance of brushing to your child yourself or you can take him/her to a dentist. 

2. Gargling properly after eating anything during the day. You can use just some warm water or a mouthwash.

3. Avoid giving them anything sticky and sweet in the evenings.