Tooth decay is one of the most common health problems among children and is one of the most prominent causes of tooth pain and loss at an early age. Many children suffer from pain and discomfort caused by tooth decay, sometimes resulting in tooth extraction under the influence of general anesthesia.
Tooth decay can cause bigger health problems, such as infection or loss of permanent teeth, in this article we will discuss the causes of child tooth decay, its signs and ways to prevent it.
Causes of caries of baby teeth
An article published in the British Dental Journal in 2018 stated that One out of every four Children in the UK suffer from tooth decay by the fifth year of life.
Tooth decay in a child occurs due to the accumulation of plaque layers accumulated on the teeth after eating sugars and starches, and as a result of the interaction of bacteria in the mouth with sugars contained in food and drinks, acid is produced that can lead to eating tooth enamel.
Bottle feeding is also one of the most prominent causes of tooth decay in a child .many children want to sleep with a bottle feeding in their mouth. this would provide an ideal environment for the accumulation of bacteria, which in turn attack the teeth and the occurrence of caries in them, especially the front teeth.
There are other factors that contribute to the occurrence of early tooth decay in children, such as genetic factors, where some children have a genetic predisposition to tooth decay, the enamel may be weaker, and the lack of fluoride in the diet or not used in toothpaste leads to a weakening of tooth enamel and an increased risk of tooth decay.
Signs of caries of children's teeth
Signs of tooth decay in children include:
- Discoloration of teeth: white spots may appear next to the gums and this is a sign of eating tooth enamel and may develop into brown or black spots
- Toothache: the child feels pain and sensitivity when eating hot or cold foods or drinks, or after eating sugary foods
- Unpleasant halitosis: an unpleasant odor may be produced from the baby's mouth as a result of the accumulation of bacteria
- Swollen gums: the gums around a decayed tooth may swell
Ways to prevent tooth decay in a child
It is important to promote healthy habits in children at an early age here are the most important healthy habits that contribute to preventing tooth decay in your child
- Maintaining oral hygiene: dental care instills in it a strong foundation for oral health, the most important step to maintain oral hygiene is brushing teeth regularly at least twice a day, especially after meals, the brush should be soft and a paste containing fluoride, which helps tooth enamel resist caries.
The child should be followed up while brushing his teeth, especially young children who may find it difficult to do so.
- Eat sugars regularly: sugar is the biggest enemy of a child's teeth, as it reacts with bacteria in the mouth and produces acids that attack the teeth and cause caries, it is necessary to reduce the amount of sugary foods and replace them with healthy snacks such as fresh fruits and vegetables that do not cause any harm to the teeth.
- Fluoride: most doctors today recommend the use of fluoride supplements only for children at risk of caries, such as children with impaired Their baby teeth.
The most common fluoride supplements are drops, tablets or vitamins, so their use is suitable for a child at risk of tooth decay, as they can reduce the risk of child tooth decay to 50%.
- Visit the dentist regularly: it is important to visit the dentist twice a year to ensure dental health and safety, the doctor can detect tooth decay in its early stages, and make sure to make visiting the dentist a pleasant experience for the child by rewarding him after the visit to reduce stress and fear for him.
Prevention of dental caries largely depends on proper healthy habits at an early age, daily dental care, proper nutrition and visiting Dentist's office Regularly they are the main pillars of maintaining the health of baby teeth and making them smile confidently.
