Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 4 minutes
It can be frustrating to learn that your child has another cavity, especially if they brush every day. Repeated cavities usually develop because of several factors, not one food or one missed brushing session.
We provide dental care for the whole family at our offices in Denver, Aurora, Thornton, and Hampden. We proudly accept Medicaid and make quality dental care accessible for every child.
Dental and Vision Care in One Convenient Location
At our Denver and Aurora locations, Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics and Youth Vision are conveniently located in the same building. This means your child can receive both dental and vision care at one familiar location, without extra travel or scheduling stress.
Table of Contents
Why Does My Child Keep Getting Cavities?
Repeated cavities can develop when tooth enamel is weakened faster than it can repair itself. Diet, plaque buildup, fluoride exposure, tooth shape, saliva, and enamel strength can all affect this process.
Bacteria in plaque feed on sugars and starches, then produce acids that weaken enamel. If this happens often enough, a hole can form in the tooth.
Brushing twice a day helps remove plaque, but some may remain between teeth or inside deep grooves. Frequent snacks and sweetened drinks also expose the teeth to acid more often throughout the day.
What Causes Cavities in Kids?
The reasons cavities keep forming can differ from one child to another. Brushing habits, food and drinks, fluoride exposure, and the natural shape of the teeth can all play a role.
Frequent Snacking and Sipping
Candy and soda can contribute to cavities, but they are not the only concerns. Crackers, cereal, gummies, granola bars, juice, flavored milk, and sports drinks also contain sugars or starches that feed plaque bacteria.
How often a child eats or drinks is important. Frequent snacking keeps the teeth exposed to acid and gives the enamel less time to recover.
Plaque Left After Brushing
Young children do not always have the coordination to clean every tooth. They may miss the back molars, gumline, or inside surfaces.
Parents may need to brush again after their child or provide hands-on help. Pay particular attention to brushing before bed.
Not Flossing Between Teeth
A toothbrush cannot fully clean between teeth that touch. Plaque left in these spaces can cause cavities that are difficult to see at home. Daily flossing removes plaque and food from the areas a toothbrush cannot reach.
Limited Fluoride Protection
Fluoride strengthens enamel and helps repair its earliest weakened areas. Children who use fluoride-free toothpaste or do not brush consistently may receive less protection.
Deep Grooves in the Molars
Back teeth have pits and grooves that can trap plaque and food. Some grooves are too deep or narrow to clean fully with a toothbrush.
Dental sealants cover these chewing surfaces to keep food and bacteria out. They can provide added cavity protection for children whose molars are harder to clean.
Dry Mouth or Weaker Enamel
Saliva helps wash away food and control acids. Mouth breathing, dehydration, certain medications, and some health conditions can reduce saliva.
Some children also have enamel that is thinner or weaker. Their teeth may look white, yellow, brown, pitted, or unusually translucent.
Finding the Cause of Repeated Cavities
A dental exam can give you a clearer picture of why your child keeps getting cavities. The dentist can check their teeth, review their daily routine, and suggest simple changes that may help prevent new decay.
During a dental exam, we may review:
- Where the cavities are developing
- Which areas collect plaque
- Brushing and flossing technique
- Snack and drink habits
- Fluoride use
- Tooth spacing and alignment
- Enamel strength
- Possible dry mouth
Once we identify the likely causes, we can recommend changes based on your child’s needs.
Lowering Your Child’s Cavity Risk
A few changes can make your child’s routine more effective. Start with the areas that are most likely to be contributing to new cavities.
- Help with brushing: Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Young children often need help reaching the back teeth and gumline.
- Floss between touching teeth: Daily flossing removes plaque that a toothbrush cannot reach.
- Set regular snack times: Try to avoid grazing throughout the day. Each snack gives plaque bacteria another chance to produce acid.
- Offer water between meals: Keep juice, flavored milk, sports drinks, and other sweet drinks with meals when possible.
- Brush after the last food or drink at night: After brushing, offer only water until morning.
- Ask about fluoride treatments: Professional fluoride can give weaker enamel added protection.
- Consider dental sealants: Sealants can protect deep grooves in the back teeth where food and plaque collect.
- Keep up with dental visits: Regular exams can find early changes before they become larger cavities.
Your child may not need every step on this list. Recommendations can be adjusted based on their age, daily habits, and where cavities tend to develop.
Schedule a Dental Exam
If your child continues to develop cavities, an exam can help us identify what may be contributing to the pattern. Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics provides preventive and restorative care for children, teens, and adults.
To schedule an appointment, contact the location most convenient for your family:
- Denver Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics: (303) 825-2295
- Aurora Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics: (303) 343-3133
- Thornton Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics: (303) 280-8878
- Hampden Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics: (720) 826-3694
FAQs
Are some children more prone to cavities?
Yes. Deep tooth grooves, crowded teeth, reduced saliva, and weaker enamel can increase a child’s cavity risk. These children may need additional preventive care.
Why does my child get cavities between their teeth?
Plaque can remain between touching teeth because a toothbrush cannot reach these spaces. Daily flossing helps remove this plaque.
Can an early cavity heal without a filling?
An early weakened area may sometimes be strengthened before a hole forms. Once the tooth has a hole, a filling or another restoration is usually needed.
