Dental caries or cavities are a very common issue in kids and can cause a spot of bother for parents. Also known as dental caries, cavities might hinder the kid in speaking and eating.
Let's check out what is a cavity, its causes, how to prevent it, and other details.
What Is A Cavity?
A cavity or tooth decay is the destruction of the outer and hard surface of the tooth, called enamel. Constant decay further develops into holes or tiny openings.
There can be multiple reasons behind cavities in kids. It can be due to improper dental hygiene and eating too much chocolate and junk food.
When a kid is diagnosed with a cavity, permanent damage to the infected area is possible. To make sure the situation doesn’t get worse, so you don’t have to deal with your kid's damaged tooth, it is essential to know the causes and preventive measures you can take.
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What Causes Cavities In Kids?
There are several causes of tooth decay in children. It can be due to poor dental hygiene, saliva, foods, bacteria, or acids. Sugary food items contain starch that turns acidic with the bacteria content in the mouth.
Such acids break down the enamel, forming plaque and further causing cavities. Now that you know what is a cavity, check out the reasons for it:
1. Oral Bacterial Formation
Consuming sugary items is a primary reason for the cavities in teeth kids experience often. Cavities are caused by an infectious bacterial disease that produces harmful acids in the mouth.
These harmful bacteria have a direct relation between sugars and tooth decay.
The bacteria feed on the sugary items (that often remain stuck in the tooth for a long time), further growing and multiplying.
Such cavity-causing bacteria also get transmitted through saliva. Once they start colonising your mouth, they are sure to cause cavities in kids.
2. Dietary Reasons
Frequent consumption of sugary items (whether drinks or snacks) enhances the risk of cavities. Carbohydrates and starchy foods such as crackers, chips, or white bread also cause cavities.
Studies show that frequent intake of sugary foods and the total time the food remains in the mouth also impact cavity formation.
3. Defects in Dental Enamel
Enamel is the outer hard and protective layer of the tooth. However, some defects in enamel, like enamel hypoplasia, enhance the risk of tooth decay.
If the dentist diagnoses your child with such enamel defects, ensure regular check-ups to get treatment before it causes permanent damage.
4. Mouth Breathing
Saliva is the natural element that repairs damage and washes away the remaining food particles within the mouth. However, if a child breathes through their mouth instead of their nose, it lowers the salivary flow, causing mouth dryness.
A dry mouth keeps the food intact within the teeth, which slowly causes tooth decay. Consult a paediatric dentist if your child breathes through the mouth, as they can correct it using interceptive orthodontic appliances.
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What Should You Do if Your Child Has a Cavity?
A cavity doesn't necessarily cause pain. How can you recognize cavities in kids if they don't have any pain? Here are the common symptoms that help you know what is a cavity:
- White or dark spots in the tooth
- Light or dark brown formation on the tooth
- Mouth swelling
- Lethargy and avoidance of food
- Sensitivity to a particular food
In severe cases, they may experience:
- Trouble while eating or chewing
- Pus draining from the infected tooth
- High fever and swelling
If you observe such issues in your kid, it is essential to consult a paediatric dentist. They will further examine the kid's teeth and treat them to prevent further decay.
How Are Cavities in Kids Treated?
The type of treatment given to kids depends on the severity of the cavity and how critical it is. However, the typical child tooth decay treatment options include:
1. Dental Filling
It is a popular treatment option if a child has one or two mild cavities. Firstly, the dentist cleans the cavity and fills the hold with a white composition. The dental filling protects the kid's tooth from further damage.
2. Tooth Extraction
Dentists recommend a tooth extraction with severe cavities, preferably a baby tooth. Extraction is the ultimate treatment option when no further medication can treat the kid's cavities.
3. Dental Crown
Another significant way of treating cavities in kids with severe damage is a dental crown. If the dentist has to extract the tooth, they place a dental crown to ensure the proper growth of permanent teeth.
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4. Pulpotomy
Dentists perform pulpotomy if the decay reaches the tooth's inner pulp. It is somewhat similar to root canal, and dentists perform it on kids only. The surgery includes removing a small part of the inner pulp and placing a medicated material. Later, they close it with a tooth-colored filling.
5. Other Preventive Options
These include sealants and fluoride varnishes. Sealants protect the back teeth while creating a BPA-free plastic layer. Fluoride varnishes strengthen and protect the teeth from decay.
How Do You Prevent Cavities in Kids?
Despite different treatment options, home remedies and healthy habits help prevent cavities in kids. Here are some measures you can take if you are aware of what causes cavities in kids:
1. Ensure They Drink Plenty of Water
Maintaining good oral hygiene starts with drinking plenty of water. Water helps wash away food particles that get stuck in the teeth. Hence, encourage your child to drink water 15-20 minutes after having a meal.
2. Use Fluoride-Based Toothpaste
Fluoride-based toothpaste for kids of different age groups is available in the market. Parents should gently brush their kid's teeth with a pea-sized amount of toothpaste twice a day. Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay to a great extent.
3. Avoid Excessive Intake of Starchy and Sugary Foods
Kids can get stubborn about eating sugary food items. But if you avoid specific foods (especially sugary and starchy ones), it lowers the risk of cavities in kids.
Give them foods rich in Vitamin C, calcium, protein, and bacteria-fighting foods. You can prefer hard-boiled eggs, apples, yogurt, oranges, strawberries, and celery.
4. Inculcate Habits of Oral Hygiene
Good oral hygiene includes brushing twice a day and flossing once. When a child learns these habits at an early age, they stick to them when they are old.
You should check whether they are circularly brushing their teeth and gums. Teach them to rinse their mouth after every meal to avoid plaque formation, the build-up of which leads to cavities.
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Oh, it's formulated with natural ingredients like - Aloe Vera ✅Neem Oil ✅ Pomegranate ✅ Triphala ✅ to improve gum health✅and reduce the chances of cavities❌. Give your child more reasons to smile! 🌸
5. Ensure Routine Dental Visits
Infant oral care for babies helps prevent cavities in kids. Kids of up to 2 years cannot brush or keep their teeth clean. Hence, parents should take their kids for regular oral care to get their mouths cleaned of germs.
Summing Up on Cavities in Kids
Cavities are common among children. How well you take care of your child’s food habits matters the most. Proper care of teeth at home is equally important to prevent cavities. Keep an eye on symptoms and thoroughly check your kid's teeth for any signs of decay. Consult a paediatric dentist before the condition worsens.
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References
- Hakan Çolak, Çoruh T. Dülgergil, Mehmet Dalli, June 2013; Early childhood caries update: A review of causes, diagnoses, and treatments - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633299/
- Norman Tinanoff; Dietary Determinants of Dental Caries and Dietary Recommendations for Preschool Children - https://www.mchoralhealth.org/PDFs/HSPartnersTinanoff.pdf
