Caries is a dysbiosis caused by bacteria present in the mouth of the baby or child that metabolize the sugars in the diet. Acids are generated from this metabolism that cause the pH of the mouth to suffer variations and the enamel to end up demineralized, thus beginning the process that we understand as caries.
The multiple studies carried out on this disease confirm that it is a sugar-dependent process for which reason diet is of vital importance for its prevention and control.
Baby bottle tooth decay
Specifically, baby bottle cavities are those cavities that appear during the first years of the baby’s life, once the temporary teeth have erupted, and there are associated with poor eating and hygiene habits such as:
- Soak the pacifier in cariogenic substances such as honey, sugar, etc.
- Do not brush your teeth before going to bed.
- Make night feedings of both bottle and breastfeeding withoutclean the baby’s teeth subsequently.
If our child takes a bottle, we must take into account that the teat must be as similar to that of the mother’s breasts to simulate suction as with breastfeeding. Thus, we will benefit from the development of our baby’s mouth. In addition, from 18-24 months drinking in a cup should be promoted and the use of a bottle should be avoided. If it continues, it is very important for oral health that they brush their teeth after each intake, especially at night.
How is caries detected in milk teeth?
The initial form of caries is a white spot. At a clinical level, what is observed is a rough matte white stain that appears on the teeth near the gum. There has not yet been a break in the dental enamel, so the treatment of this initial lesion is very simple and consists of remineralizing the affected area with high concentration fluoride.
If the process continues to advance, the white spot cavitates, the enamel breaks and the carious process reaches the dentin, where its progression is faster than in enamel. Once we are at this point, the necessary treatment will be to “fill” the tooth, under local anesthesia.
But the process can continue advancing if we do not go to the dentist in time, and reach the pulp or nerve of the tooth, in which case the treatment is more complex. These cases are usually related to a history of pain, suppuration, the child stops eating…
On some occasions, if the caries process is of long evolution, it is possible that the extraction of the milk tooth is necessary, not without serious consequences on the health and development of the child.
The symptoms that we can find in child patients due to cavities are:
- Pain,
- Inflammation,
- Suppuration,
- Discomfort,
- Irritability,
- Lack of appetite,
- Decreased physical development,
- Decreased school performance and increased school absenteeism.
In short, there is a decrease in the quality of life related to the oral health of our little ones.
What can parents do?
Many fathers and mothers are unaware that cavities can also appear in babies if we do not take care of their mouths properly. That is why it is essential to go to the pediatric dentist from the first year of life to instruct in prevention and health measures: oral hygiene, diet and fluoride, which are the basic pillars of good oral health.
That is to say, as in an adult, baby’s teeth should be brushed from the moment they erupt in the mouth, always with a very small amount of toothpaste with a fluoride supplement.
Tips to prevent the appearance of cavities in babies and children:
- Begin brushing once the first temporary tooth erupts in the mouth. There are special brushes adapted to the size of the baby’s mouth.
- Brushing with fluoride toothpaste (1000ppm) twice a day: from 0 – 3 years the amount of toothpaste is equivalent to a grain of rice, from 3 years it is equivalent to a pea.
- Use dental floss once the primary teeth are in close contact
- Avoid sweet foods and sugary drinks: juice, cookies, Nutella, pastries…
- Before going to sleep, a correct oral cleaning of the baby should be carried out.
- Brushing must be supervised by an adult until 8-9 years of age.
- It is important that parents and caregivers also maintain good health habits, since there is cross-contamination of bacteria from family members to children.
- Avoid using tap water.
- Last but not least, regular visits tothe dentist must be made in order to prevent and diagnose any anomaly early.
It is very important that our babies and children have good oral habits before their milk teeth appear. This will favor that as an adult they have a mouth free of cavities and we prevent their permanent teeth from being affected at an early age.
