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Children’s Cavities
Dental cavities can occur from a very young age. These dental infections are caused by the consumption of sugary foods and poor oral hygiene in children. To prevent and treat them, follow the advice in this article.
What causes cavities?
Early Childhood Caries (ECC) appears well before the age of 5 and can affect the first teeth. It is generally caused by a high intake of sugar. Food particles settle on the teeth after children eat or drink. They contain sugar, which cavity-causing bacteria convert into acid. During this process, a sticky substance (dental plaque) forms and damages the enamel and dentin of the teeth. This is how dental cavities in children develop.
Children’s dental cavities can also result from poor dental hygiene, such as adopting an inappropriate brushing technique. Indeed, following proper toothbrushing methods is not always easy for children. When they start brushing their teeth on their own, some dental surfaces may not be reached, particularly in areas where permanent molars emerge. These areas therefore become the first targets for cavities.
What are the symptoms of dental cavities in children?
In young children, bad breath and pain related to tooth sensitivity may indicate a cavity. Externally, this condition can be identified by a dark spot or a white patch embedded in the tooth. If these signs become visible, a visit to the dentist is essential. This is necessary to prevent cavities from reaching an advanced infectious stage.
Childhood cavities can also manifest as bleeding gums during brushing. Cavities in children can prevent them from eating properly because the gums swell and become painful. As a result, the entire mouth is affected. When these symptoms appear, consulting a dentist is unavoidable.
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Children’s oral hygiene: how are cavities treated?
To ensure better oral health for children, cavity treatment must be prescribed by dentists. As a general rule, specialists treat a cavity according to its severity. In the first case, the tooth is only slightly damaged. The enamel is partially affected. The following solutions may be used to treat it.
For example, it is entirely possible to remineralize a decayed tooth with fluoride varnish or to seal the pits and fissures. The dentist may also remove the cavity from a baby tooth or a permanent tooth. Alternatively, they may fill the cavity with a filling made from an amalgam of mercury and another material, adhesive composite, or silver. This helps restore the teeth. For better oral hygiene in children, salivary stimulants such as chewing gum may be recommended, particularly in cases of asialia or hyposalivation. In the worst cases, treatment may involve extracting decayed baby teeth and replacing them. When the pulp of the tooth is damaged, this means that the cavity has become very deep. In this situation, the dentist devitalizes the tooth before fitting a crown.
Children’s dental health: how can cavities be prevented?
Preventing dental cavities involves combining good oral hygiene with a diet low in sugar. Indeed, certain foods rich in sugars and starches (soft drinks, ketchup, fruit juices) are the main source of nourishment for bacteria present in dental plaque. They add to the acids contained in the foods children prefer and promote enamel demineralization. Their consumption should therefore be limited to reduce the frequency of acid attacks. This also gives the enamel of baby and permanent teeth time to rebuild. To support saliva, which fights dental plaque, eating nutritious foods such as vegetables and fruit is recommended.
Excellent oral hygiene must be adopted to prevent dental cavities from a very young age. In this regard, the French Union for Oral Health recommends brushing the teeth. Since 2013, it has indicated that teeth should ideally be brushed twice a day for 2 minutes after each meal. To brush a baby’s first teeth (6-8 months), you should use a special toothbrush with extra-soft bristles. You can also use a damp compress to clean the gums. To transport your child’s Y-Brush toothbrush more easily, you can get a travel case. It allows you to take all the necessary equipment with you to ensure effective treatment of their cavities.
As your child grows, teach them to brush their teeth correctly, spit out fluoride toothpaste, and use dental floss to clean between their teeth. In addition to regular toothbrushing, an annual visit to the dentist is necessary to detect whether or not tartar is present.
