No parent wants their child to have cavities. Sadness, frustration and even guilt are normal reactions. The good news: you’re in the right place. We can fix your child’s teeth with minimal stress and little or no discomfort, and help them avoid future cavities.
So why does my child have cavities? The causes fall into two main areas: biology and behavior.
BIOLOGY: Physical traits we inherit or acquire and can’t control. Some protect us and some raise our risk: deep grooves in the teeth, crowded teeth, how much saliva we make and what’s in it, large tonsils or adenoids that cause mouth breathing, and weak spots in the enamel (enamel hypoplasia). The cavity-causing bacteria children pick up from their parents after birth play a big role, along with natural fluoride exposure and nutrition during development.
BEHAVIOR: The things we can control: how well and how often teeth are brushed and flossed, how much sugary versus healthy food is eaten, fluoride use (toothpaste, rinses and water) and regular dental visits.
Stress matters too. Moving, changing schools, family conflict, illness or a death in the family can affect both biology and behavior.
But why my child?
We aren’t all biologically equal. Just as some people need glasses or are prone to diabetes, some children are simply more susceptible to cavities. A parent can do everything “right” and still have a child with cavities, while another child is biologically lucky despite poor habits.
Don’t be discouraged. Ask yourself honestly: could brushing, flossing or diet improve? Could you use more fluoride? Is your child seeing the dentist regularly?
Dr. Johnson and his team will assess your child’s cavity risk, explain the biological and behavioral causes, and teach you how to help. You don’t have to be perfect. You just need to find the right balance of protective factors for your child, and we’ll give you practical, achievable steps to get there.
To learn more, see our CAMBRA page or talk with one of our team members.
Sincerely,
Dr. Johnson