Tooth decay in children: detection, treatment and tips for prevention

 Dental care is becoming more and more important these days. There are also fewer and fewer children and young people who suffer from tooth decay . Unfortunately, this does not apply to early childhood caries in children under the age of three. But how does this caries develop? And how can it be treated?

Our guide provides you with detailed information on the subject of tooth decay in children . We will show you the most common causes and explain how you can identify tooth decay in your child. Finally, we give you tips on how to avoid tooth decay.

1. About 15% of all children suffer from tooth decay

Tooth decay is a dental disease that occurs comparatively frequently . Bacteria initially cause light spots on the teeth, ie in the enamel. If these are not treated, the caries will dig further and further into the tooth until it reaches the dentin . The result is toothache and increased sensitivity to sweet, cold and hot foods. If the teeth are not treated, the decay spreads to the entire dentition .

The number of caries cases in children and young people has fallen sharply in recent years . Of course, this is mainly because dental health is a much higher priority than ever before. According to figures from the German Dental Association , 81% of twelve-year-old children in Germany are free of caries today .

Unfortunately, the situation is different for small children. About 15% of children aged 0 to 3 years have early childhood caries . This can already develop when the first milk teeth erupt . Caries is the most common chronic disease in young children.

Children's teeth are also particularly vulnerable because the enamel is not yet stable enough . This makes it easier for bacteria to spread throughout the mouth.

2. The most common cause is sugary drinks

Tooth decay occurs when we eat a lot of foods that are high in sugar. The absorbed sugar is converted into acid by the bacteria, which in turn attacks the tooth enamel and makes it brittle .

The fact that children from industrialized countries in particular suffer from tooth decay is because there are more and more drinks and foods on the market that contain a lot of sugar. The fact that cavities form despite brushing is due to the fact that the teeth are washed around by water and sugar for a large part of the day .

Diet plays an important role in the development of tooth decay. Parents should therefore make sure that they offer their child as little sweets as possible , such as gummy bears or chocolate .

More and more parents are also starting to put sweet drinks in the feeding bottles. These are often sweetened teas, fruit juices or milk foods containing sugar. The fact that the children then suck on the bottle again and again throughout the day causes what is known as feeding bottle caries .

The incisors are particularly at risk because they often come into contact with the sweetened beverages when sucking . However, over time, tooth decay will spread to other teeth.

Other causes of tooth decay are:

• Plaque from poor oral hygiene
• a decreased amount of salivation
• Conditions that make the teeth and gums more susceptible to bacteria

3. Detect and effectively treat caries on the teeth

In many cases, caries is not recognized early enough by parents, so they only take their child to the dentist when the caries is already very advanced . In the worst case, the milk teeth then have to be completely removed.

But how can parents identify tooth decay in their toddler? Initial plaque is usually not visible to the naked eye, so it makes sense to have the cleaning result checked regularly by a dentist. In the early stages of caries, light, white spots are initially visible on the teeth . These will become browner and browner over time.

Especially at the beginning, children with caries suffer from few or no symptoms. Toothache can only occur at a later stage when eating cold or sweet foods .

Children's teeth must always be treated by a Dentist in Burke. Without treatment, other symptoms, such as difficulty eating or speaking, can occur . If only the outer enamel is affected, dentists only use special fluoride varnish to treat the affected areas.

If the teeth already have cavities, the affected tooth tissue must be removed with a drill or laser . The dentist then closes these holes with a suitable filling. In more severe cases, it may be necessary to remove the incisor or molar.

4. Prevent tooth decay through effective dental care

However, caries can be easily prevented. Since toddlers and children are not yet able to take care of this themselves, it is the task of the parents to ensure daily oral hygiene .

In the following we would like to give you tips on how to prevent tooth decay in your child :

• Brush teeth daily : As soon as the first teeth come through, you should brush them once a day with a fluoride toothpaste. From the age of two, you should increase brushing to twice a day. As soon as permanent teeth appear, the fluoride content may be higher (1,000 to 1,500 ppm).
• Visits to the dentist : The first examination should take place from the age of 6 months. Six-monthly checks are recommended to rule out the onset of tooth decay.
• Pay attention to nutrition : Only allow your baby to suck on the bottle at certain times. Unsweetened teas or water are best. Once your child can sit, they should learn to drink from the glass or cup instead of the feeding bottle.
• Avoid food and sweet drinks before going to bed : In many families it is common for children to go to bed with a feeding bottle. However, it is important that the children only drink water after brushing their teeth in the evening. This way you can ensure that the saliva can regenerate.
• Only snack in moderation : children love sweets. Therefore, a complete renunciation should be avoided at all costs. However, make rules about snacking. For example, this should only be allowed at certain times and not throughout the day.