Grow Up With Healthy Smiles: Prevent Tooth Decay In Children

Babies develop teeth at different ages, but most of them have their first tooth between the ages of six to ten months. Even before the teeth start sprouting, it is important to start taking care of their oral health to ensure pediatric tooth decay is prevented and their teeth and gums stay healthy and protected. 

Importance of Oral Health in Children

Healthy teeth in children are laid on the foundation of healthy oral practices from a very early age. Parents and caregivers need to understand that pediatric tooth decay even in the milk teeth can have disastrous effects on the permanent teeth that come much later in the child’s life, along with other oral health issues including gum disease. Pediatric tooth decay issues affect children at physiological, mental and social levels as they are more sensitive to social cues and the opinions of peers, adults and society at large. It is important to be aware of the causes of tooth decay in children and establish a routine for good oral hygiene practices and ensure the development of healthy teeth. 

Causes of Tooth Decay in Children

Poor dental hygiene is often the cause of pediatric tooth decay. Coupled with poor dietary choices, this can lead to the development of cavities and caries in milk teeth and becomes a major risk factor for caries in permanent teeth in the future. Milk teeth are softer than permanent teeth and untreated oral issues as well as habits such as thumb sucking or prolonged use of pacifiers can cause poor and misaligned tooth development. 

Signs and Symptoms of Tooth Decay

There are broadly 5 stages of tooth decay. By the time your child shows visible signs of tooth decay, the tooth has already been compromised. 

Stage 1 – Formation of a white or brown lesion on the tooth enamel is the primary stage of tooth decay but this is often unnoticed by children or parents. There is no other visible indication of decay at this stage. 

Stage 2 – Noticing a cavity in the tooth is Stage 2 of decay. By then the enamel has already been eroded. There may not be pain in the tooth but it may show increased sensitivity, especially when in contact with hot, cold or sweet foods. 

Stage 3 – If the decay is not stemmed at this stage, it progresses to dentine decay. As the dentine is porous and sponge-like, the bacteria grows easily and quickly. This is also the stage when toothache becomes noticeable.

Stage 4 – By this stage, the pulp of the tooth becomes infected and the child may experience significant pain constantly or when the tooth comes into contact with any food.

Stage 5 – Dental abscess is the final stage of tooth decay where the root of the tooth becomes filled with pus and the stage is extremely painful even when the tooth does not come into contact with anything. The pain radiates through the tooth, gums and jaw and the child may experience swelling and / or fever.

Preventive Measures for Tooth Decay

Prevention of pediatric tooth decay is any day better than taking treatment. The best way to prevent dental issues is to be informed about and to practise correct oral hygiene habits, follow a regular and balanced diet, and to have regular dental checkups.

Proper Oral Hygiene Practices

Brushing twice a day in the correct way and flossing are the child’s first line of defence against tooth decay. Since children may not be fully aware of the proper brushing techniques and the consequences of improper brushing, they may tend to slack off on their oral hygiene. It is important that they are supervised until they become competent to manage their oral health on their own.

Healthy Diet and Nutrition

Foods that are rich in fibre such as high-fibre fruits and vegetables help to keep the teeth and gums clean. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese encourage the formation of saliva, which helps to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar in the mouth.

Limiting Sugary Foods and Drinks

Sugary foods and drinks stick to the teeth and encourage the growth of bacteria. Soft drinks are often loaded with sugar, acids and carbonation which weakens the enamel and promotes bacterial growth which then contributes to tooth decay.

Regular Dental Check-ups

Visits to the dentist on a regular basis is non-compromisable to maintain optimal oral health and to prevent the formation of cavities and caries. Children have smaller mouths and the pediatric dentist has specialized tools to reach the hard-to-reach surfaces of their teeth.

Fluoride Treatments & Dental Sealants

If the dentist notices any signs of tooth decay or cavities in the rear molars during your child’s periodic dental visits, he / she will suggest fluoride treatments and sealants to reverse these signs. This helps to protect the decay-prone teeth from coming into direct contact with sugary or acidic foods that are likely to cause dental issues.

Avoiding Prolonged Bottle-Feeding

Nursing bottle caries or baby bottle tooth decay is commonly seen in children between the ages of 1-2 years who go to bed with a bottle that contains milk or juice or anything other than water. Infants who tend to fall asleep while breastfeeding are also at risk of this form of tooth decay as they tend to have prolonged consumption of milk. If your child has not been completely weaned off the bottle, it is advised to let the child take a bottle of water to sip on at night instead of formula, milk or juice.

Teaching Proper Brushing Techniques

It is not sufficient to brush teeth twice a day – it needs to be done with the proper technique and the right toothbrush (with small head and soft bristles) and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste. In the case of babies, it is important to start brushing the baby’s teeth with a soft toothbrush and water as soon as they start to appear. A soft and damp washcloth can also be used to wipe over the teeth and gums to get rid of food / milk debris.

Brushing Process

• The toothbrush should be held with a gentle yet firm grip and guided into the mouth at an angle so as to reach all parts of the mouth.
• Brush each tooth gently in circles. Do not brush up and down vigorously as this can injure the gums and cause bleeding.
• Brush along the inside and outside surfaces of the teeth and on the tongue to remove any traces of food debris. 
• After brushing, teach the child to spit out the toothpaste, and rinse the mouth. It is ok if a small amount of toothpaste remains in the mouth as it protects the teeth. 
• You may also want to teach the child to use dental floss at an early age to clean the surfaces between the teeth.

Role of Parents in Preventing Tooth Decay

Parents are required to play an active role in establishing good oral care routines in their children and supervising their oral health habits to ensure good dental hygiene. They are also the primary role models for the children as they tend to copy whatever their parents do from an early age. Therefore, parents who themselves maintain good oral hygiene are more likely to have children who adopt good oral care habits. They also need to schedule periodic dental visits for the children once every six months so that any potential dental problems can be identified early on and rectified.