Most cavities can be prevented, and the earlier a family starts, the easier it is. As pediatric dentists in San Antonio, we spend most of our time on the care that keeps decay from ever taking hold: regular checkups, strong enamel, protected grooves, and habits that work at home. When a spot does show up, we try to catch it while the fix is still small.
Why cavities are so common in children
Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It starts when germs in the mouth feed on sugars and starches and make acid. That acid draws minerals out of the enamel, first leaving a chalky white spot and later, if nothing changes, a hole.
The germs that cause cavities are passed between people, often from a parent or caregiver through shared spoons, cups, or kisses. That’s one reason we encourage parents to keep up with their own dental care too.
Baby teeth matter more than many parents expect
It’s easy to think of baby teeth as temporary. But some of them stay until age 12 or so. Primary teeth help your child chew and speak clearly, and they hold space for the adult teeth growing underneath. A neglected cavity in a baby tooth can lead to pain, infection, and crowding problems later.
Preventive care we offer
Each child gets a plan built around their own risk for cavities. These are the tools we use:
- Exams & Cleanings: a cleaning and a careful look at teeth, gums, bite, and growth, usually every six months.
- Digital X-Rays: low-radiation images that show what the eye can’t, taken only when your child needs them.
- Fluoride: a quick varnish brushed onto the teeth to harden enamel against acid.
- Dental Sealants: a thin, tooth-colored coating that keeps food and germs out of deep grooves on back teeth.
- Curodont™ Repair: a liquid that helps very early white-spot cavities rebuild minerals before a filling is needed.
- Silver Diamine Fluoride: a painted-on liquid that can stop an active cavity from growing.
- Nutrition Counseling: practical guidance on snacks, drinks, and bedtime routines that protect teeth.
- Mouth Guards: protection for teeth, lips, and gums during sports.
- Night Guards: a guard worn during sleep for children whose grinding is wearing down their teeth.
Simple habits that prevent cavities at home
- Brush twice a day for two minutes, once after breakfast and once right before bed.
- Use the right amount of fluoride toothpaste: a smear the size of a grain of rice until age three, then a pea-sized amount.
- Help with brushing until your child can do a thorough job alone, usually around age seven or eight.
- Floss wherever teeth touch.
- Save sweets and juice for mealtimes, and make water the everyday drink.
- Keep checkups on the calendar so small problems stay small.
Prevention is also where dental insurance tends to be most generous. Many PPO dental plans cover routine preventive visits, and our team is glad to help you look up your child’s benefits before an appointment. As a family-owned practice, we’d rather spend time teaching good habits than repairing teeth.
At what age should my child start seeing a pediatric dentist?
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends a first visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth. Early visits are short and mostly about prevention and answering your questions. Our First Visit page explains what happens.
My child brushes every day. Why do they still get cavities?
Brushing is only one piece. How often your child snacks or sips sugary drinks, missed spots along the gumline, deep grooves in the back teeth, and family history all play a part. We’ll look at all of it and suggest changes that fit your routine.
Are gummy vitamins or “healthy” fruit snacks bad for teeth?
They can be. Sticky, sweet foods cling to teeth for a long time, even organic ones. If your child takes a gummy vitamin, giving it with a meal and brushing afterward helps.
Related: Exams & Cleanings, Fluoride, Dental Sealants, Nutrition Counseling