Brushing teeth and oral hygiene are a bit more complex for a child than for an adult. The reason? Children eat more sugary foods, while their primary teeth are much more fragile. How will they respond to dental treatments and care for children? Since baby tooth enamel is more fragile, it is necessary to use toothpaste adapted to the child's oral health. Early childhood caries is by no means trivial; use a specialized toothpaste for small cavities to relieve nerve tooth decay and allow your little one to smile again.
Here is a guide to help you overcome early childhood caries so your child maintains good oral hygiene.
What is early childhood caries?
Early childhood caries is actually an aggressive infection of children's primary teeth. It appears in children from a very young age and quickly becomes widespread, affecting the entire dentition. At first, carious lesions are not necessarily visible. They appear as white spots or lines near the gums, mostly on the tongue side. It is often easier to notice early caries when there is a cavity and a discoloration of the teeth tending towards brown or black.
What are the causes of early childhood caries?
Bacteria naturally accumulate in your children's mouths. They form a sticky substance called dental plaque. This plaque covers the teeth and produces acid when in contact with food. This acid attacks the tooth enamel, promoting the development of early childhood caries. Two main factors cause early childhood caries: diet and poor oral hygiene.
The first factor is: diet
Indeed, children consume many more cariogenic foods such as sugars or acids found in sodas. However, parents sometimes forget that baby teeth are more fragile than permanent teeth. Cavities therefore develop much more easily in them. This dietary factor facilitates enamel demineralization, which is the first stage of tooth decay.
The second factor is: poor oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene involves several things: not brushing teeth regularly enough, not using fluoride products like toothpaste and mouthwash, and not drinking fluoridated water when possible. It is also important to have a good brushing technique to maintain better oral hygiene.
Symptoms of early childhood caries
1 – Tooth sensitivity to sugar
You can detect your child's early caries by observing their reaction to sugary foods. Eating sweets may cause them to wake up at night. They will experience strong tooth sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods.
2 – Appearance of spots on the teeth
Colored spots may appear on the teeth, indicating the advanced stage of tooth decay.
- White spot: indicates the caries is in an early development phase.
- Yellowish spot: indicates the caries is in a growth phase.
- Brown spot: indicates the caries is inactive.
3 – Appearance of holes in the teeth
Caries is characterized by the destruction of tooth enamel. As the decay progresses, holes appear. This visual symptom indicates an advanced stage of caries. A specific examination allows the dentist to detect tooth decay. However, if you can easily see the hole, it is undoubtedly tooth decay.
A good dental hygiene routine to treat tooth decay
To prevent cavities in a child, here are the basics according to an oral hygienist: Maintaining impeccable dental hygiene prevents enamel erosion on children's teeth. Taking care of teeth is essential for proper mineralization. Teeth and gums must be considered during caries treatment, as brushing after every meal alone is not always enough to prevent cavities and tooth sensitivity. Plaque formation, gum disease, and dental hypersensitivity usually come from food debris that resist brushing. Regular brushing is effective but not 100%: it is also necessary to clean between teeth with interdental brushes and remove food residues with products designed for early childhood caries.
To brush your teeth properly before using interdental brushes, you can use the Y-Brush toothbrush. It simplifies brushing all surfaces simultaneously thanks to filaments with the correct angle, automating the motion. It is the best way to reduce dental plaque, which causes cavities.
Using early childhood caries products to treat cavities and protect teeth
A child's toothache often feels like the end of the world. Do not skip the dentist visit and use the early childhood caries toothpaste recommended by dentists for children's dental health. Tooth decay pain in a child can have significant impacts. It is better to avoid dental problems by teaching good habits and relying on early childhood caries mouthwash, toothpaste, and other products. This prevents enamel demineralization effectively, reducing the risk of cavities and maintaining healthy teeth. Early childhood caries products can also have a curative effect and combat bad breath: discuss this with your dentist. Children's oral cavities are still very fragile, so they need appropriate oral care and fluoride toothpaste that respects their delicacy. It is also recommended they rinse their mouths with an effective early childhood caries product against cavities and dental problems. Be careful with oral hygiene for very young children, as they tend to clean only the tooth surface without considering the inside and sides. For their young age, they need soft-bristled brushes, toothpaste, and antiseptic mouthwashes adapted for early childhood caries.
We hope this guide has helped you understand that taking care of your child's oral health involves considering several factors. Properly addressing causes and symptoms will help you know when to start treatment for early childhood caries.
