The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is classified as one of the largest countries in which the prevalence of caries in baby teeth is high in children. According to the statistics of the Saudi Ministry of Health, the percentage exceeds 93%. Therefore, through this article, we wanted to provide you with a comprehensive guide that explains to you in a simplified manner the most important causes that lead to infection, and how to avoid them, in addition to the most important therapeutic and preventive methods followed, and is it really possible to treat caries from home?
What are the causes of tooth decay in children?
Children suffer from caries in baby teeth as a result of the activity of oral bacteria that feed on sugars and food residues, thus making the environment of the mouth more acidic, causing the tooth enamel to lose its minerals and constituent elements.
- Neglecting to visit the pediatric dentist when the first baby teeth appear: Visiting the doctor is an essential and indispensable step when the child’s first teeth appear, in order to conduct periodic examinations and ensure the safety of tooth growth and the absence of any problems, in addition to giving parents a set of necessary advice to properly care for their child’s dental health.
- Children neglecting to brush their teeth: Neglecting the child to brush his teeth twice a day since the first baby teeth appear is one of the factors that lead to him developing cavities, which gradually eat away at his teeth until they lose their main minerals and elements.
- The child’s excessive consumption of sweets and fast food: This is one of the most dangerous factors, and its risk increases when the child neglects to brush his teeth correctly.
- The child neglects to drink water in sufficient quantities: Water contains a group of elements that contribute to the formation and strengthening of teeth, including fluoride, which is necessary to strengthen tooth enamel, so a child drinking water in an amount of less than 12 cups per day increases the possibility of developing tooth decay.
- Wrong habits, which include the child sleeping with milk in his mouth, or drinking juices and eating sweets right before bed, while neglecting to brush his teeth.
After we learned about the most important factors that increase the possibility of tooth decay in children, let us understand the nature of baby teeth and what makes them more susceptible to tooth decay compared to permanent teeth.
What are baby teeth?
The term baby teeth in children refers to the child’s primary teeth, which usually begin to appear 6 months after birth. They number approximately 20 teeth, and begin to fall out by the age of six to make room for the permanent teeth that will continue their journey from the child until he grows up.
Read also:Tooth decay Causes, symptoms and treatment
What are the signs of tooth decay in 3-year-old children?
Baby tooth decay goes through a series of stages that show signs of tooth decay in children over the age of 3 years. Its stages include the following:
- Change in tooth color: The color of natural teeth tends to be ivory, but in the first stage of decay, white spots begin to appear on the surface of the affected tooth, indicating that it has lost its minerals, and thus the enamel layer is weakened.
- Yellowing and staining of the teeth: The color of the teeth changes more at this stage, and brown and black dots appear on the surface of the front teeth, which usually indicates an increase in the tooth enamel’s loss of its salts and minerals.
- Moderate caries: At this stage, caries moves from the enamel layer to the deeper layers, and the child may feel tooth sensitivity that usually appears when eating sweets and sugars, in addition to cold and hot drinks.
- Tooth pulp decay: This stage usually requires a visit to the doctor, as all home remedies fail, and is characterized by the child feeling severe pain and inflammation, and usually requires root canal treatment.
Therefore, the signs of tooth decay depend largely on the classification of the child’s condition at any stage of tooth decay, and the extent of the parents’ interest in the correct methods of taking care of dental health.
Types of caries in baby teeth in children
Tooth enamel is the tooth's first line of defense, because it protects the most sensitive inner layers.
- Smooth surface caries
This type is slow-growing, develops on both sides of the mouth, and may affect the outer surface of the tooth.
- Decay of pits and cracks
This type occurs on the chewing surfaces, or on the front side of the molars.
But deeper cavities may need fillings, crowns, or root canal treatment.
- Root decay
This type forms on the surface of the tooth root, as a result of acids, sugars, and bacteria penetrating the roots.
What is the treatment for tooth decay?
Treatment of caries in baby teeth in children depends on the child’s condition and at what stage of caries the child suffers from. Examples of treatments used include the following:
- Fluoride dental sessions.
- Teeth cleaning.
- Dental fillings.
Book your consultation now at Dental center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
How can tooth decay in children be treated at home?
There are many natural recipes spread on the Internet that refer to the treatment of tooth decay and various problems that affect oral health, but are these methods really effective enough, and can we do without visiting the doctor and conducting periodic examinations?
There are many natural methods that can be relied upon to relieve tooth pain as a temporary solution until a visit to the doctor, including:
- Salt water: Salt water has many therapeutic benefits for tooth decay, including relieving pain and eliminating harmful bacteria, and thus its positive effect is reflected in the condition of the affected tooth.
- Cloves: Clove oil has many natural properties, such as: relieving pain and getting rid of bacteria.
There are many other natural methods, but they may not be suitable for children, so in this article we do not recommend following home methods for long periods, and we stress that they are temporary solutions until you visit a doctor to conduct the necessary tests, find out the accurate diagnosis, and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
Everything you want to know about Caries of the front teeth
What are the ways to care for baby teeth?
Following various preventive methods and proper care methods remain the first steps to ensuring the preservation of the health of baby teeth, which begins from the first moments of the child’s life, and includes the following:
- Cleaning baby bottles and pacifiers before and after use;
- Clean the baby's mouth well with a clean piece of gauze after feeding and when sleeping.
- Do not leave a pacifier or breastfeeding in the infant’s mouth for long periods, in addition to avoiding using sugar or honey on it.
- Clean your child's teeth well when his first teeth appear, using a toothbrush.
- Use dental floss when two adjacent teeth appear to ensure that all food remains are removed from areas that are difficult for the toothbrush to reach, thus ensuring prevention of plaque buildup.
- Make sure to visit the dentist when the first teeth appear to ensure the correct development of the child’s teeth, conduct the necessary examinations, and give the parents the most important advice to follow.
- Use a toothpaste rich in fluoride. Apply an amount of paste the size of a grain of rice to ensure full benefit. Do not rinse the child’s teeth directly with water.
- Make sure to follow the rules of proper nutrition, which ensure that the child eats balanced amounts of vegetables and fruits on a daily basis, in addition to carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.
- Avoid eating too many sweets and sugars.
- Conduct a regular examination and visit the pediatric dentist at least once every 6 months, to ensure early detection of problems and prevent their aggravation.
In conclusion, after we learned the most important information about the causes of caries in baby teeth in children, and the most important signs and methods of treatment, be sure to take care of the health of your child’s teeth, especially with the increasing prevalence of caries in the Kingdom. You can visit Al-Mousa Specialist Clinics to conduct a periodic examination, and obtain a distinguished medical service at the hands of a distinguished medical service.
The best ways to treat baby tooth decay in children
Tooth decay may begin as soon as your child's first tooth emerges through the gum line, and can continue into adulthood.
Therapeutic methods include the following
- Supplemental fluoride treatments
These treatments may help prevent about a third of caries cases.
This is because excessive use of toothpaste containing fluoride may lead to dental and skeletal fluorosis.
2. Dental sealants
Dental sealants are a thin layer that is placed on the tooth;
This layer contributes to preventing 80% of decay for two years when placed on the back teeth.
3. Dental fillings
If your child suffers from baby tooth decay, the doctor may advise him to undergo a dental filling procedure, in order to prevent further tooth decay and pain.
There are different types of fillings (also known as restorations).
- Direct restorations
This type only needs one visit;
- Resin.
- Silver.
- Fine glass powders.
- Acrylic acids.
Restorations are often tooth-colored.
- Indirect restorations
Requires two or more visits.
- gold.
- Base metal alloys.
- Ceramic.
Indirect restorations include onlays, bridges, veneers, and crowns.
How to prevent baby tooth decay in children
You can protect your child from baby tooth decay by doing the following
- Brush your child's teeth as soon as the first tooth appears, and his gums, teeth, and tongue should be cleaned for two minutes twice a day.
- زيارة طبيب الأسنان بانتظام.
- Make sure your child eats a balanced diet.
- Limit sticky, high-sugar snacks, such as cookies or candy.
- If your child uses feeding bottles at bedtime, only water should be placed in them, because formula milk contains sugars that may lead to tooth decay in your child.
- Drink water throughout the day to remove food residue and keep his mouth moist.
- Do not share eating utensils with your child, to prevent the transfer of bacteria from your mouth to his mouth.
- Use floss;
Frequently asked questions
Does caries in baby teeth affect permanent teeth?
Yes, tooth decay in baby teeth may affect permanent teeth as follows:
- Delayed appearance.
- Deformation of the jaw and delayed growth and development, which increases the possibility of distortion in the appearance of permanent teeth.
- Tooth abscess occurs when decay reaches the pulp of baby teeth.
Should decayed baby teeth be extracted?
The doctor does not resort to extracting decayed baby teeth except when the various therapeutic solutions fail, which include: dental fillings and root canal treatment. If the doctor decides to extract the tooth at an early stage, he maintains the position of the tooth using a spacer.
Is baby tooth decay painful?
Decay of baby teeth is not painful in the early stages, but when the decay reaches the deeper layers of the tooth that follow the enamel, the child develops tooth sensitivity, which increases with neglect.
Does night feeding increase the risk of tooth decay?
If night feeding is through breast milk, it does not contribute to increasing the risk of caries in baby teeth, because breast milk differs from formula milk in that it contains protective components (such as human casein), which help prevent the growth and adhesion of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
But artificial milk increases the risk of caries in baby teeth, because it contains sugars that help the growth of bacteria that cause caries.
Does calcium deficiency cause tooth decay?
Calcium is a beneficial nutrient for human teeth and bones, and its deficiency may lead to negative effects on dental health, such as tooth decay and loss.
What is the age for children's dental fillings?
80% of cases of baby tooth decay occur in children between the ages of two and five years, and the doctor may resort to using fillings to stop the progression of decay.
Medical references
Tooth decay – nhs
Tooth Decay (Caries or Cavities) in Children – hopkinsmedicine
