How common is Dental Caries in Children
Dental caries are common in children.
It is important to treat your child’s tooth decay as soon as possible. Untreated dental caries can spread decay and lead to painful infection. Brushing regularly with fluoride toothpaste (oral hygiene) and getting regular dental checkups can help prevent dental caries.
Dental caries are spots of decay (cavities) in the outer layer of your child’s tooth (enamel). The natural bacteria in your child’s mouth produce acid when breaking down sugary foods and drinks.
When your child eats or drinks a lot of sugary foods and liquids, a lot of acid is produced. The acid destroys the protective enamel of your child’s tooth, leading to tooth decay.
What are the causes?
Dental caries are caused by the acid that is produced when bacteria break down sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
What increases the risk?
This condition is more likely to develop in children who:
- Drink a lot of sugary liquids, including formula and fruit juice.
- Eat a lot of sweets and carbohydrates.
- Drink water that is not treated with fluoride.
- Have poor oral hygiene.
- Have deep grooves in their teeth.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of dental caries include:
- White, brown, or black spots on the teeth.
- Pain.
- Swollen or bleeding gums.
How is this diagnosed?
Your child’s dentist may suspect dental caries from your child’s signs and symptoms. The dentist will also do an oral exam. This may include X-rays to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes lights, a thin probe, and dyes are used to find dental caries (using electrical conductivityor laser reflection).
How is this treated?
Treatment for dental caries usually involves a procedure to remove the decay and restore the tooth with a filling or a sealant.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Help your child practice good oral hygiene to keep his or her mouth and gums healthy. This includes brushing teeth using fluoride toothpaste twice a day and flossing once a day.
- If your child’s dentist prescribed an antibiotic medicine to treat an infection, give it to your child as told by his or her dentist. Do notstop giving the antibiotic even if your child’s condition improves
Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s dentist. This is important. This includes all cleanings.
How is this prevented?
To prevent dental caries.
- Clean an infant’s gums with a washcloth after each feeding.
- Brush a baby’s teeth twice daily as soon as teeth appear.
- Have an older child brush his or her teeth every morning and night with fluoride toothpaste.
- Do notput your child to sleep with a bottle.
- Help your child use a sippy cup by the age of one.
- Schedule a dentist appointment for your child by his or her first birthday. Continue to get regular cleanings for your child.
- If your child is at risk of dental caries, have your child rinse his or her mouth with prescription mouthwash (chlorhexidine) and apply topical fluoride to his or her teeth.
- Give your child water instead of sugary drinks. Offer milk at mealtimes.
- Reduce the amount of sweets and candy that your child eats.
- If fluoride is not present in your drinking water, have your child take oral supplements.
Contact a health care provider if:
- Your child has symptoms of tooth decay.
Summary
- Dental caries are caused by the acid that is produced when bacteria break down sugary or acidic foods and drinks.
- Treatment for dental caries usually involves a procedure to remove the decay.
- Regular dental cleanings can help prevent caries.
