Caries is the destruction of tooth enamel and the hard outer surface of the tooth. If this disease is not treated, over time this disease can spread to other teeth. Caries is very common in children. Unfortunately, some parents still underestimate this problem. Although it is very important to get rid of caries in children at an early stage without further complications.
Why children have caries
Many parents still do not realize the importance of caring for baby teeth. Unfortunately, there is still a misconception that milk teeth are teeth that will fall out anyway, so it makes no sense to pay attention to them. The consequences of this approach can be serious and painful for the child and costly for the parents.
Tooth decay is the result of bacteria from the streptococcus family that damage enamel. They arise as a result of the accumulation of food residues on plaque. It is important that baby teeth are less mineralized, so they are more susceptible to bacteria. Bacteria can not only multiply in a child’s mouth, but also be transmitted by parents, for example, when they lick a pacifier or baby spoon. It is worth knowing that caries is an infectious disease.
Which children are at risk?
All children have bacteria in their mouths. Therefore, all children are at risk of caries. Some children are more susceptible to tooth decay due to genetics.
But there are factors that can increase the risk of caries in a child:
- high level of caries-causing bacteria;
- a diet high in sugar and starch;
- poor oral hygiene;
- less salivation than usual.
Symptoms of caries in children
In the first stages, caries in children is asymptomatic. At some point, a plaque appears, which resembles a yellowish growth and tightly adheres to the child’s teeth. This is a signal to visit the dentist as soon as possible.
The next stage of caries development will be dark streaks on the teeth, which are not difficult to distinguish from the enamel. Even at this stage, there is no need to remove the tooth, it is still treatable.
Developed caries in children manifests itself in the form of dark cavities directly near the gums. Caries can spread very quickly to other teeth. Advanced caries can lead to the removal of a milk tooth.
Caries symptoms can be individual for each child. Sometimes children don’t know they have cavities until a dentist finds them.
However, your child may experience pain around the tooth and sensitivity to certain foods, including sweets and hot or cold drinks.
How to treat caries in children
Caries in children is diagnosed by a doctor after examining the oral cavity. An X-ray may also be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment depends on the stage of caries development. In the early stages, only the use of toothpaste with fluoride, as well as fluoridation at the dentist, will be needed.
If the caries is at an advanced stage, fluoridation will not help. Here it will be necessary to remove the destroyed part of the tooth and fill the cavity.
The last resort is to remove the tooth, but this happens only when treatment does not make sense. Premature removal of teeth can lead to an incorrect bite in the future, which can only be corrected with braces.
What is the prevention of caries in children
With the help of prevention, you can save the baby from unnecessary stress and pain.
First of all, it is about proper oral hygiene. Here, a lot depends on the parents, because they are the ones who have to teach the child to take care of his teeth.
It is important to take care of the baby’s teeth before they appear. It is advisable to rinse the gums with boiled water for babies, and when the first teeth appear, daily cleaning is necessary.
Also, do not forget to visit the dentist regularly. The first visit with the child to the dentist should take place when the first tooth appears. This is a great opportunity to introduce the child to the dentist without bad associations, which can prevent dentophobia in adulthood. If the first visit is associated with pain, the child will very quickly develop the association “the dentist is pain” and will avoid subsequent visits.
It is not recommended to give the child food or sweet drinks at night, after he has brushed his teeth. It is also important to reduce the amount of sweets in the child’s diet and replace them with healthy food.