How Can I Prevent Cavities?
Left over food and drink particles plus bacteria from plaque creates a likely formula for cavities. Here are a few tips on preventing cavities.

1. BRUSHING: Elimination of food particles and bacteria from plaque can definintly help reduce tooth decay.

Infants—Cleaning their teeth can be a challenge but is still very important. Dr. Gerling recommends introducing your infant to a soft bristled toothbrush once the first tooth erupts. At the very least, dampened clean soft cloth can be used to gently wipe the plaque from the tooth and gum area. Doing this after each feeding is an important step in preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay.

Toddlers/Adolescents—Brushing with a soft toothbrush twice daily or after every meal is recommended. It is important to brush all surfaces for two to three minutes. Use a circular motion with the bristles at a 45 degree angle towards the gums. Brushing right before bed is extremely important. Adult assistance is suggested for most children under the age of five or six.

2. FLOSSING: In order to remove plaque and food particles from between the teeth,
where a toothbrush does not reach, flossing is vital. Small flossing devices, which can be purchased at your local grocery store, are made to make flossing less challenging for children. Daily flossing should begin once the child's teeth have erupted and are in close contact with one another. Adult help and/or supervision is also recommended until your child develops proper flossing technique.

3. SEALANTS: To prevent decay Dr. Gerling endorses the use of protective Sealants. These are applied to the chewing surfaces of children’s molars. Sealants insure that food particles and bacteria will not build up in the grooves of the chewing surface of the tooth. To ensure that the surface of the tooth remains protected, sealants may need to be reapplied.

4. DIET: Bacteria are particularly fond of foods containing sugars and carbohydrates. 
These foods provide bacteria with the energy neeed to grow, reproduce, and create enamel-eating acid. Special favorites of bacteria are foods that tend to stick to teeth like peanut butter, caramel, chips and crackers.  Chewing and swallowing do not clear these foods. Consequently, they provide bacteria with a long lasting food source from which to make acid.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture notes that "frequent eating of foods high in sugars
and starches as between-meal snacks may be more harmful to your teeth than eating them at meals".

During a recent study, it was found that apples actually helped clean teeth among a control group of children, and therefore, significantly cut down on the risk of tooth decay.

5. CHECK-UPS: Visit your pediatric Dentist twice a year for regular check-ups.