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Causes of tooth decay in children- Bayswater Dentist

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Vijay Ramsundaranm

Even though they are temporary, your baby's teeth are essential and are still prone to decay. Tooth cavity in toddlers and infants is often referred to as early childhood caries or baby bottle tooth decay. Children need healthy and strong teeth to speak, chew their food, and have a beautiful smile. Moreover, their primary teeth help to ensure that their permanent teeth come in the right way. Therefore, it is important to teach your children proper oral care to help protect their teeth for years to come.

Many factors can cause an increase in the prevalence of tooth decay in children. As a matter of fact, cavities are recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the most common chronic childhood disease. Therefore, as a parent, it is prudent to understand the causes of tooth decay in children so as to prevent its occurrences or treat it at the earliest.

Causes of Tooth Decay in Children

-         Oral Bacterial Colonisation

Cavity-causing bacteria can be passed on to children through saliva. In most cases, these bacteria are transmitted to children from their mothers; however, anyone can transmit the bacteria, and this includes other children. The more your child's mouth gets into contact with saliva containing cavity-causing bacteria, the more likely the harmful bacteria will colonize the child's mouth.

-         Inadequate Water Intake containing Fluoride

Fluoride helps to prevent and even reverse the effects of the early stages of tooth decay. Fluoride naturally exists in water; as a result, it is a safe way to prevent decay. It helps protect the teeth, preventing the acids from dissolving onto them when in contact with the enamel. Unluckily, most children do not drink enough water, which leads to a higher risk of cavities.

-         Bedtime Feeding

The Australian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry discourages putting children to bed with bottles, especially those containing sugary drinks such as juice. When you put your child to bed with a bottle of juice, the sugars contained in the juice can stick to the upper front teeth, thus leading to the rapid destruction of those teeth. Additionally, putting your child to bed with a bottle of milk could potentially cause cavities. Even though milk does not cause cavities, bottles obstruct sufficient salivary flow, which is the natural tooth-cleaning agent.

-         Medications

Medications can be contributing factors to tooth decay in children. Some prescriptions tend to decrease the flow of saliva, and it is clear that reduction in saliva leads to tooth decay. Moreover, many children's medications such as cough syrup, gummy vitamins, or allergy drugs are loaded with sugar to improve their flavor. Therefore, when such medicines are offered throughout the day and night, they serve as an ample source of sugar to feed bacteria.

-         Teeth Crowding

When a child's teeth are overlapping or overcrowded, they are naturally harder to brush and clean. Also, they are more likely to trap food in hard-to-reach spaces; therefore, this creates a conducive breeding spot for bacteria to thrive and cause tooth decay.

Bottom Line

If you notice any signs of tooth decay in your child, ensure that you schedule a dental appointment immediately. Also, ensure to get your child checked by a pediatric dentist as they have both expertise and experience in dealing with children's oral problems. At Bayswater Dentist, we take excellent care of all our patients and make every child feel comfortable and at home. Book an appointment today for high-quality dental treatments!

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Vijay Ramsundaranm
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