Teeth have an important role in toddlers’ overall health and development. The anterior teeth cut food into pieces, and the posterior teeth grind the food, which facilitates swallowing and digestion. Also, they help your toddler develop their speech and preserve a space for adult teeth to erupt. Cavities in toddlers cause tooth pain and discomfort, which makes it difficult for toddlers to sleep, play, eat, and talk, impacting their overall health and development.
The risk of cavities in toddlers starts with the eruption of the first primary teeth at the age of 6 months. If you don’t clean your toddler’s teeth well, dental plaque will accumulate on teeth surfaces. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that decompose carbohydrates (sugars and starches), producing acids. Over time, these acids break down the tooth enamel, resulting in cavities in children.
What are The Symptoms of Cavities in Toddlers?
In the early stage of tooth decay, white spots or lines appear on the primary teeth surfaces due to the loss of tooth minerals (demineralization). In this stage, dental decay can be reversed by fluoride (remineralization) if the tooth enamel is still intact.
As tooth decay progresses, cavities begin to form. Cavities cause permanent damage to the tooth. They appear as brown or black holes or tiny openings. Over time, these holes may extend to deeper layers, causing tooth pain and a dental abscess. The signs of decay may include:
- White spots or lines on primary teeth surfaces (in the early stage of tooth decay).
- Brown or black holes that gradually become bigger (advanced stage).
- Increased sensitivity to sweet, hot, or cold.
- Pain with biting or chewing.
- Continuous tooth pain.
- Food particles get trapped between primary teeth.
- Gum swelling and pus discharge.
- Persistent bad breath.
- Swelling of the face.
What Causes Cavities in Toddlers?
Primary teeth, also known as deciduous teeth, baby teeth, or milk teeth, are the first set of teeth your toddler will develop. Usually, they begin to erupt at 6 months of age and continue until 25 – 33 months of age. The risk of cavities in toddlers begins with the eruption of the first primary tooth. Certain bacteria in the mouth feed on carbohydrates in food. Then, these bacteria produce acid that breaks down the tooth enamel and causes cavities in toddlers.
Risk Factors for Cavities
The following factors increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities:
- Poor oral hygiene: Dental plaque is a mass of bacteria that forms on teeth every day. These bacteria convert carbohydrates into acid, which breaks down the tooth enamel, causing cavities. Not brushing and flossing your child’s teeth regularly causes plaque buildup.
- Consumption of foods high in sugar content: for example, cake, cookies, biscuits, and sugary drinks (soda and fruit juice). These foods and drinks provide a sugar-rich environment for bacteria and increase the risk of cavities in toddlers.
- Bottle feeding: Putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk or bottle of juice can lead to baby bottle tooth decay, also known as early childhood caries.
- Low saliva flow: Saliva helps to wash away food particles and neutralize acids in the mouth. If your toddler has reduced saliva production, they are more susceptible to cavities. Low saliva flow can also cause gum disease.
- Foods that cling to toddlers’ teeth for a long time, such as milk, ice cream, dried fruits, dry cereal, and chips.
- Tooth location: cavities occur most often in posterior teeth because they have a lot of grooves that collect food particles. Anterior teeth are easier to keep clean than posterior teeth because they have smooth surfaces.
Complications of Untreated Cavities in Toddlers
Decayed teeth in toddlers can cause serious complications, including:
- Tooth pain that worsens over time.
- Gum swelling and pus discharge.
- Tooth fracture and even tooth loss.
- Nutrition problems due to painful or difficult chewing.
- Weight loss as a result of impaired toddler’s nutrition.
- Pain that interferes with daily living.
- The early loss of primary teeth can lead to permanent teeth shifting and misalignment because primary teeth preserve space for adult teeth permanent teeth.
How Cavities are Diagnosed in Toddlers?
Cavities in toddlers can be found during a regular dental check-up. Early dental caries appear as white spots or lines on teeth. When dental caries progresses, cavities begin to form. They may appear as brown or black holes. The pediatric dentist will check your toddler’s mouth by:
- Mirror and probe: the pediatric dentist will use a mirror and probe to examine your toddler’s mouth and spot caries areas.
- X-ray: the dentist may take an x-ray to check for interproximal cavities and dental abscesses.
How are Cavities in Toddlers Treated?
The treatment of cavities in baby teeth varies, depending on the size of the damage and the condition of the tooth. The dental treatment includes:
- Tooth restoration: your toddler’s dentist will clean the childhood caries areas under local anesthesia. Then, they will place a tooth filling to restore the function and shape of the tooth. Types of tooth restorations include amalgam, composite, and glass ionomer.
- Pulpotomy or pulpectomy: bacteria may reach the tooth pulp, causing continuous pain. So, your toddler’s dentist may recommend the removal of pulp tissues partially (pulpotomy) or completely (pulpectomy).
- Stainless steel crowns: after pulpotomy or pulpectomy, your child may need a stainless steel crown to protect the tooth and restore its function.
- Tooth removal: if your child’s tooth is severely damaged, the pediatric dentist may recommend the removal of the damaged tooth. Also, your child will need a space maintainer after the tooth removal to preserve the space and allow the permanent teeth to erupt into the correct alignment.
How To Care for Your Child’s Oral Health?
Cavities in toddlers are a common problem, but with proper oral hygiene habits and regular dental visits, you can protect your child’s oral health. So, you should:
- Practice good oral health habits: lead by example and teach your toddler to brush their teeth properly and floss regularly. Brush your child’s teeth regularly with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush. Don’t use toothpaste.
- Fluoride toothpaste: Once your toddler can spit out toothpaste, you can use a fluoride toothpaste (pea-size amount). This helps to strengthen their tooth enamel and protect against cavities.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks: encourage your toddler to eat healthy foods, such as fruits instead of foods high in sugars, refined carbs, and starchy foods. Besides, avoid putting sugary drinks in your child’s sippy cup, and encourage drinking water after meals and sugary snacks or drinks.
- Fluoride treatment: Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) and makes it more resistant to acid attacks. Ask your child’s pediatric dentist about fluoride treatments, which may involve applying a fluoride varnish to the teeth.
- Fissure sealants: food particles get stuck in the groves of the posterior teeth for a long time, which increases the risk of cavities in toddlers. So, consider placing fissure sealants (protective plastic coating) on the chewing surfaces of your toddler’s posterior teeth to prevent food and bacteria from getting into these groves.
- Start dental visits early: According to the American Dental Association, Your child’s first dental appointment should occur after the eruption of the first baby tooth, but no later than the 1st birthday.
- Regular visits to the dentist: visit your toddler’s dentist regularly for a check-up and professional cleaning. The pediatric dentist can spot cavities early and treat them before the occurrence of any complications.
Key Points
- Cavities can impact your toddlers’ overall health and development.
- Because they cause tooth pain and discomfort, which makes it difficult for a toddler to sleep, play, eat, and talk.
- Certain bacteria in the mouth decompose carbohydrates (sugars and starches), producing acids that causes weaker enamel – the outer layer of the tooth.
- Bacterial acids break down the tooth enamel, forming brown or black holes. These holes are known as cavities.
- Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, consumption of sugary foods and drinks, and tooth location. Posterior teeth have a higher risk of cavities than smoother anterior teeth.
- Untreated tooth decay can lead to complications, such as severe tooth pain, gum swelling, facial swelling, and tooth loss.
- The treatment includes tooth restoration, pulpotomy or pulpectomy, and tooth removal.
- It is better to care for your child’s dental health and prevent cavities from happening. So, brush your toddler’s teeth regularly with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, and maintain regular dental visits for check-ups.
