Tooth Decay in Children

Tooth Decay in Children, Many children suffer from tooth decay at a young age, which can be extremely harmful. In the following paragraphs, we will learn about the causes of this decay, how to treat it, and how to prevent it, so follow us as we present you with all the latest information in this article.

Tooth Decay in Children

Take care of your child’s teeth from the start! Reading our article about tooth decay and its main causes will enhance your knowledge and confidence in caring for your child’s oral health. Tooth decay in children is one of the widespread issues among a large segment of children, and it can affect both primary and permanent teeth. No doubt every mother and father wants their child to enjoy good health and healthy, decay-free teeth, and this is what we will strive to achieve through the following paragraphs, which explain the main causes of tooth decay in children and how to protect them from it.

What is Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

A child can be considered to have early childhood tooth decay if they develop tooth decay before the age of 6, and the decay begins to appear in their first teeth more than twice. Studies have shown that more than 20% of young children under the age of 6 suffer from what is known as early childhood tooth decay.

Causes of Tooth Decay in Children Despite Cleaning

Many mothers complain about their children’s teeth developing cavities despite daily brushing with a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste. This is a result of following other wrong habits, which are not limited to neglecting brushing, including:

• Eating snacks, sweetened foods and drinks, as well as excessive consumption of sugars, starches, and sweets, which are the main food source that helps bacteria grow. These bacteria then produce acids that attack the enamel layer of the teeth, resulting in tooth decay.
• Failure to clean teeth properly despite brushing, which can still lead to tooth decay.
• The child’s neglect to drink adequate amounts of water, which leads to tooth decay, as dry mouth caused by a lack of saliva plays a significant role in removing food residue and plaque from the teeth.
• Parents’ failure to take their child for regular dental check-ups to ensure the health of their teeth and early detection and treatment of tooth decay.
• The child may suffer from acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which can lead to tooth decay despite proper brushing, as these conditions cause acid to return to the mouth, affecting the enamel layer of the teeth and causing decay.

When Does Tooth Decay Begin in Children?

Tooth decay in children can begin as soon as their primary teeth start to appear, making them susceptible to tooth decay from that point on. This matter requires close attention and follow-up from parents to ensure that the child follows a healthy lifestyle and receives proper nutrition and care to protect their teeth from decay.

Which Children Are More Prone to Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is an issue that all children can be exposed to, but there are some factors that increase the likelihood of tooth decay in certain groups, including:

• Following a high-sugar and high-starch diet
• Neglecting to clean the mouth and teeth daily
• Low fluoride levels in drinking water
• Low saliva production and dry mouth in the child
• Presence of a large amount of bacteria in the mouth

What Are the Symptoms of Tooth Decay in Children?

Most mothers and fathers believe that tooth decay is accompanied by severe pain, so if the child doesn’t complain about pain, they assume they don’t have tooth decay. However, this is incorrect, as tooth decay does not always cause pain in children. Therefore, it’s crucial to pay close attention to other signs of tooth decay in children, which include:

• Noticing white or brown spots on the surface of the child’s teeth.
• Frequent irritability and crying.
• The child cannot tolerate very cold or hot foods.
• Swelling in the gums.
• In some cases, the child may not want to eat or drink.
• The child may feel extremely lethargic.

Can Tooth Decay Cause Fever in Children?

Severe tooth decay or severe gum inflammation can cause an infection in the tooth roots, resulting in an abscess in the gums. This can lead to severe pain in the mouth, a fever, a change in gum color to red, and swelling or inflammation of the jaw.

Should Primary Teeth with Decay Be Treated?

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It is essential to treat decay in primary teeth to maintain them for as long as possible until the permanent teeth emerge, to control the decay and prevent further damage. This can be done through the following approaches:

• Early Stages of Decay in Primary Teeth: The dentist will treat the teeth using fluoride to strengthen and reinforce the tooth and restore the minerals needed by the damaged enamel layer. This method is highly effective for small cavities.
• Moderate Cases Where Fluoride Is Not Suitable: The dentist may need to remove the affected area of the tooth or fill small cavities with appropriate fillings.
• Severe Cases of Tooth Decay in Children: If the decay reaches the root, the dentist may need to perform a partial or complete root canal treatment, depending on the case. If there is no other option, the only effective treatment may be tooth extraction.

Treatment of Tooth Decay in Young Children

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Of course, young children do not go through the same stages and procedures for treating tooth decay as adults. However, depending on the stage of decay, the condition may require one of the following treatments:

• Filling: Fillings can solve the problem of minor tooth decay that occupies a small area of the tooth.
• Crown Placement: If the decay is larger, crowns may be placed to prevent the spread of bacteria.
• Tooth Extraction: This is an option if the teeth have been completely and extensively decayed, making it impossible to control.
• Root Canals: This method is used to treat teeth where the decay has reached the nerve.

Preventing Tooth Decay in Children

At the Dental Care Center, we care about the health of your child’s mouth. Read our new article on children’s tooth decay and how to prevent it, and discover how we can help you. The main idea behind protecting your child’s teeth from tooth decay is to reduce the time the teeth are exposed to sugars and acids that cause decay. This can be achieved by following these steps:

• Ensure that your child only drinks water before bedtime and avoid milk and juices.
• Encourage your child to eat healthy foods and low-sugar meals, and include foods rich in vitamins and minerals in their diet.
• Teach your child to care for their oral health and emphasize that they should brush their teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste after eating and before bedtime. The toothbrush should be soft and suitable for their age.
• Make sure the toothpaste is fortified with fluoride and free from artificial colors or preservatives.
• Gently clean your child’s teeth, and using dental floss is one of the best ways to clean young children’s teeth.
• Schedule regular visits to the dentist during the first years of your child’s life to have their teeth professionally cleaned and address any issues they may have, ensuring they receive the appropriate solution.

When Should a Child’s Tooth Be Extracted?

In the case of children, it is best to keep the primary teeth in place until the permanent teeth emerge, due to their importance. However, if the decay is severe and there is no other solution than extraction, the dentist will follow one of these options:

• If the permanent tooth is about to erupt, the dentist may extract the decayed primary tooth and wait for the permanent tooth to come in.
• If the dentist needs to extract the tooth at an early stage, they may use a space maintainer, which prevents the other teeth from shifting and preserves enough space for the permanent tooth to erupt.

At the Dental Care Center, we provide a wealth of information related to this matter, as well as valuable tips that can be followed to maintain the health of your child’s teeth and protect them from decay. You can contact the center through its official website by clicking on the following link.