Common Causes of Dental Cavities in Children

It might sound cliché, but simple oral hygiene like brushing, flossing, and visiting a dentist regularly really is the most effective way to prevent dental cavities in children. For some children and teens, however, there are certain fish factors that make them more susceptible to cavities even if proper dental hygiene is observed. Simply practicing good oral hygiene may not be enough to prevent your child from developing cavities if they fall into certain categories.

Categories More at Risk of Developing Cavities

Here are several risk factors that can result in an increased likelihood of your child developing cavities:

• Genetics – Genetics plays a role in your child’s dental health just like anything else. Inherited genes can lead to a higher than normal number of bacteria in the mouth which can be harmful to teeth. This can put your child at a higher risk of cavities.
• Eating Disorders – Both anorexia and bulimia can make your child more at risk of developing cavities. Anorexia deprives the body and teeth of receiving the nutrients they need. If your child isn’t getting nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, tooth enamel can start to weaken. Teeth are exposed to harmful stomachs acids as a result of purging with disorders like bulimia.
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse – Alcohol consumption can lead to dry mouth while its acidity can wear away your child’s tooth enamel leaving the unprotected. Methamphetamine and other hard drugs can cause tooth rot and other types of ailments.
• Tobacco Use – Yellow and discolored teeth are not the only thing that smoking and chewing tobacco can lead to. It will also break down tooth enamel and result in dry mouth. Both of which can increase the risk of cavities.

Here at Firestone Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we know that there are a number of causes of dental cavities for children. But no matter what the cause, if your child has a cavity, it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. To make an appointment at Firestone Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, please contact our Firestone, Colorado child’s dental office today.