How to Prevent Dental Caries in Babies and Children

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Among the thousands of cares that we have to teach children and make them become daily and usual habits after each meal, tooth brushing is extremely important to prevent tooth decay. Care must be started even when babies are born before baby teeth appear, making the baby get used to the habit of oral hygiene.

Caries is one of the most common problems in the world and when discovered at the beginning it has easy treatment and does not offer pain, unlike if you let the problem last for a long time. Dental caries are small holes in the teeth caused by the action of bacteria in the mouth that act on tooth decay. The teeth are covered by a layer of enamel that has the function of protecting the teeth from external actions and if for some reason this protection is lost, the teeth are exposed to the action of germs. The attack is done in all dental composition starting with a small hole in the tooth and if not treated in time it can destroy the entire tooth, causing the loss of the tooth.

What not all people know is that tooth decay is considered a disease and worse infectious and considered transmissible , so there is little care. The accumulation of food residues together with the saliva and bacteria that inhabit the mouth form plaques on the teeth, which are more common in the rear molar teeth and which, if not properly removed, will become tartar, where the proliferation of bacteria responsible for the appearance of caries occurs. The plaques found in the tooth generate acids that completely dissolve and damage the protective enamel of the teeth. This event does not usually generate pain or sensitivity to the teeth, except when the caries has already reached the internal nerves or the tooth is already fractured. Another very apparent symptom of tooth decay is bad breathand swelling in the gums.

Dental Caries in Children

Dental caries in children or bottle caries as it is called in children and younger babies, is caries generated most often by the baby’s or child’s sleeping habit taking a bottle. The ingestion of sugary liquids at this time causes the sugar to lodge in the teeth allowing the invasion and proliferation of bacteria that cause caries. It is worth noting that even breast milk and the formulas it substitutes have sugar in its composition.

Caries in children can cause discomfort, pain and in some cases even the loss of teeth that can result in addition to the whole situation, embarrassment due to missing teeth or damage to them and affecting self-esteem as they grow. When affecting the health of baby teeth, permanent teeth can also be affected in some cases, with a bad positioning of permanent ones that will be born totally crooked. Therefore, when discovered, a dentist should be sought for assessment of the situation and appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

The best way to prevent caries in children is to teach them to have good hygiene habits and to exclude from their routine anything that might hinder this habit. At bedtime, create a new routine by discarding the bottle or “tete” going to bed or crib. If you like to drink the milk you make before bedtime, brush your teeth properly and only then go to sleep. If the custom for sleeping is the bottle, instead of sugary liquids or pure milk itself, introduce water that does not pose any risk to your teeth. For children who have the habit of spending the day with the bottle and take all liquids in it, it should also be avoided.

Perform oral hygiene at each end of meals , even if it is only the consumption of a juice, tea or soda. In the case of babies, clean with a damp cloth or gauze, or with baby toothbrushes. For older children, hygiene should be carried out with a soft-bristled toothbrush, appropriate toothpaste and if the dentist finds it necessary to supplement with infant fluoride. The health of our children’s teeth depends only on us and the teachings we give them. A baby used to doing his oral hygiene will grow accustomed to this routine without major inconvenience and wear and will carry these habits throughout his life.

See also:  Milk Teeth – When Do They Grow and When Do They Fall?

Dr. Alexis Hart
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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

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