The Idea of Sugar Bugs and Cavity Prevention

Convincing a child to brush their teeth can sometimes feel like a losing battle. Sure, some days they get excited and want to do it themselves. Other days, they refuse to let you check their teeth once they’re done, to make sure they got them perfectly clean. Instead, all they want to do is attempt to eat the toothpaste (not recommended). Not to mention, the days where they just run away from the toothbrush… We get it! Toddlers can be difficult at times. So, what are the ways that you can teach them about cavity prevention and how to take care of their teeth?

We have the answer—sugar bugs! Or, in adult language, cavities.

Of course, you don’t want to explain the concept of sugar bugs in the same way that we would explain it to an adult. So let’s switch gears, and we will explain to that child in you exactly what sugar bugs are.

What are sugar bugs?

Sugar bugs get us all. They work while we sleep, they work while we’re at school, they work while we’re playing outside. They live on our teeth and cause cavities. These cavities are their houses, dark caverns deep in our teeth. Once they start, they go deeper and deeper, hurting our teeth. They work day and night to cause chaos on our smiles, so we need to work every day to get rid of them.

The thing is, when we feed them sugar, they go crazy! Once the sugar bugs get a tasty treat, they have all the energy they need to try and make a new cave in our teeth. They eat away at the hard shell of her teeth, known as enamel. Once they get through that shield, they keep eating until they’ve created their perfect house. This house is known as a cavity. When you have a cavity, the only way to fix it is to let the dentist fill it up with a special material. It’s amazing that the problem can be fixed, but it’s best to avoid these cavities if we can!

Fun Ways to Teach Cavity Prevention

Did you know there are ways to get rid of sugar bugs before they have a chance to make their houses? The best way to do that is by brushing and flossing your teeth. Think of it as chasing away the sugar bugs. Set a timer and brush, brush, brush! Be sure to use your toothpaste; these bugs don’t like that.

Sometimes, using stories to help pass the time while you brush your teeth will make it easier. Tell the story of a dental care hero who fights those sugar bugs every day. Each time you brush your teeth, add a little bit more to your story. Be sure to report to your dentist about what happens in your story—we love to hear it!

Between your tooth-brushing sessions, read some books about how to take care of your teeth. The more you know, the less likely those sugar bugs are to attack.

Remember, even if you get rid of the sugar bugs before you go to bed, more come and take their place while you are sleeping. You have to brush your teeth every day to get rid of them! It’s the job of a hero to be sure they are all gone—and that hero is you!

You are not alone in the fight against the sugar bugs, though. The dentist is your trusty sidekick to keep your teeth healthy. Every six months, you have to go see your dentist to make sure that there aren’t any sugar bugs hiding that you can’t reach.

Healthy Habits to Keep Sugar Bugs Away

Now, parents, regular brushing and flossing can be difficult at times, even with the fun idea of chasing away the sugar bugs. To help you and your kiddo out, create a fun timer or even a reward chart to help them keep track of the days that they get rid of all of the sugar bugs!

When it comes to snack time, try choosing tooth-friendly snacks and limiting those sugary treats. Remember, when you feed the sugar bugs that sugar, they go a bit crazy and eat faster! These yummy snacks are good in moderation, but always remember that your kiddo needs to have clean teeth soon after they indulge in the sugar—those bugs can be fast!

Sugar Bug Hero

Keep reminding your kiddos that they are the heroes who can keep the sugar bugs from causing trouble. It requires daily effort, and they are the only ones who can do it!
Of course, you can help them out by having their next dental visit on the calendar. These go a long way toward helping keep their smiles sugar-bug free—so schedule an appointment today!