Taking care of children’s mouths is important because they are at the same risk as adults for certain gum diseases and health problems.
One of the most common diseases in children is tooth decay, which is usually caused by poor oral hygiene or the excessive consumption of certain sugary foods. In this article, our pediatric dentistry for kids explains what tooth decay is in children, what causes it, how to prevent it and what you need to do if you have tooth decay.
Caries is a bacterial disease that causes demineralisation of the tooth enamel due to the acids produced by plaque. Therefore, it is important that you brush your child’s teeth after every meal and visit the paediatric dentist regularly.
Below we explain in detail what tooth decay is, what the main causes are and how to prevent it.
WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY?
Caries is a chronic disease caused by bacteria in the plaque. These bacteria produce acids that cause demineralisation of the tooth. When this happens, the tooth can be weakened and the enamel or the surface of the tooth can be damaged.
If tooth decay is not treated immediately, it can spread to the dentin and pulp (the deepest layers of the tooth) and cause pain, infection and sometimes even loss of the tooth.
Caries in children is also called rampant caries or childhood caries because it usually develops between six months and five years of age.
This type of caries is quite aggressive because it develops very quickly and can have serious consequences for the child’s permanent teeth.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TOOTH DECAY IN CHILDREN?
There are several factors that cause tooth decay in children:
- Poor oral hygiene: Poor or no oral hygiene is one of the main factors that can lead to tooth decay. Therefore, it is important that children learn good habits from an early age, such as brushing their teeth after every meal and flossing.
- Bad eating habits: A diet high in sugar and carbohydrates promotes the development of tooth decay.
- Cariogenic bacteria: These types of bacteria are part of the dental plaque and are transmitted through saliva. Therefore, certain habits such as tasting or blowing on the baby’s food, cleaning the dummy with the baby’s own saliva or kissing the baby on the mouth should be minimised.
- Caries from baby bottles: This is named after prolonged use of baby bottles, as these liquids deposit on the teeth and gums and cause tooth decay.
- Lack of fluoride: The use of fluoride is an effective way to prevent tooth decay as it helps to strengthen tooth enamel.
HOW TO DETECT TOOTH DECAY IN CHILDREN
It is important to detect caries early, especially in the milk teeth, as it affects the permanent teeth.
In the beginning, the child may still show symptoms because caries usually progresses slowly. Therefore, regular visits to the dentist are necessary to prevent caries or damage to the tooth structure.
The most typical symptoms to detect caries in children are:
- Change in tooth colour: The damaged tooth has some discolouration or white patches, and as the decay progresses, they become more yellowish, brownish or sometimes even black.
- Mild or acute pain: when biting or eating and drinking.
- Appearance of bad breath.
- Sensitivity of the teeth to cold and heat.
- Inflammation and abscesses.
- Sudden pain: with no apparent cause.
- Small caries: formation of dark coloured holes in the molars.
- Loss or fracture of the enamel.
If any of these symptoms are present, the decay may be well advanced. However, the first sign to look out for is white spots. If these appear, the caries is not yet that advanced and conservative treatment is still possible.
If the caries is quite advanced, the lesion causes severe pain and in the most severe cases can affect the enamel, the dentin or even the tooth nerve.
HOW CAN TOOTH DECAY BE PREVENTED?
Good oral hygiene is important to prevent tooth decay. However, the most important thing is to teach your children how to take care of their teeth:
- Reduce sugar consumption: this reduces the risk of tooth decay. It is advisable to avoid sugary drinks and foods, especially if they are syrupy, as they stay longer between the teeth.
- A healthy and balanced diet: Encourage the consumption of raw foods rich in fibre and calcium.
- Prevent the child from falling asleep by sucking on a bottle.
- Proper oral hygiene: Children should be taught the importance of brushing their teeth for at least two minutes after each meal every day. Use dental floss, fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash if recommended by the child’s dentist.
- Visit the dentist regularly: at least twice a year. Regular check-ups contribute to good oral health and prevent early tooth decay.
