Early childhood caries is a rampant, aggressive form of decay that may be experienced at a very young age. The decay attacks the primary teeth and can spread quickly until all the teeth are affected.
In the early stages, white spots or lines (called "carious lesions") appear near the gumline close to the tongue and typically go unnoticed. Parents realize that the child has a cavity when the teeth change colour to brown or black.
The decay may happen so quickly that parents mistake it for normal tooth development.
Causes
There are many possible causes of tooth decay among children, but diet and oral hygiene are the main factors.
After each meal, food debris clings to the teeth. If it is not brushed away, the bacteria in the mouth transforms the sugars in the food debris into acids that attack the tooth enamel.
That is why parents should teach their children proper oral hygiene as soon as possible and make it part of their daily routine.
Factors that encourage early childhood caries:
- allowing your baby to fall asleep with a bottle or sippy cup of juice, a sweet drink or milk.
- giving your baby a pacifier dipped in something sweet.
- giving your baby sweet foods or drinks all day long.
- nursing your baby on demand during the night and not cleaning his or her teeth afterward.
- failing to clean your baby’s teeth regularly.
It is important to prevent the spread of bacteria by saliva between your baby and other family members. Do not share the same spoon or clean your baby’s pacifier by putting it in your mouth.
Snackers beware!
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Granola bars, raisins and juice drinks, even natural ones, also contain sugar. Parents should limit their children to one sweet drink per day. The number of such drinks is as important as their sugar content.
- Dilute concentrated juice with water to reduce the sugar content.
- Give non-chewy, unsweetened snacks, such as cheese, vegetables and fresh fruit.
Why fill a primary tooth?
Primary teeth are used for chewing, of course, but also make room for permanent teeth. It is recognized that a child with many cavities or abscesses may have difficulties at home and at school. This is why a decayed or broken tooth must be repaired, even though it will fall out later.
By repairing the tooth, your dentist will fix the problem and avoid a tooth extraction – never a pleasant prospect at any age.