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Is your child showing signs of early dental problems such as dental caries?

Dental caries are the most common infectious disease in children? How do caries develop and what can you do as a parent to protect your child’s teeth.

Tooth decay can cause pain, infection and even affect children’s growth. Severe decay in baby teeth can have serious consequences for your child’s speech and jaw development, not to mention their self esteem.

At Australia Fair Dental Care we are passionate about educating our patients about the importance of caring for their children’s teeth. In this article we explain what causes childhood tooth decay and how you can prevent them from forming.

What are childhood caries?

Early childhood caries are caused by a build up of bacteria caused by food particles upon your child’s teeth that eat away at their enamel, causing tooth decay and erosion. Over time, this bacteria eats away at the surface of the tooth, creating holes or ‘cavities’.

The longer tooth decay is left untreated, the more your child will experience:

  • Pain and discomfort
  • A higher risk of new decay in other baby and adult teeth
  • More complicated and expensive treatment
  • Anxiety when he does visit a dentist, because he might start to associate dentists with pain

Causes of Childhood caries

The following characteristics can contribute to the development of early childhood caries:

Physical Characteristics  

  • Children with special health care conditions, such as developmental disabilities or a cleft lip/palate.
  • Low birth weight   

Behavioural Risk Factors          

  • Poor nutritional/feeding habits. Sugar is a major culprit as is bottle feeding at night
  • Poor oral hygiene.

Gingivitis          

  • Chronic conditions that weaken enamel, promote gingivitis, or cause decreased saliva production.
  • Visible plaque on the teeth.
  • Caries in the child, as the presence of even a single cavity in a young child is a strong risk factor for future decay.

Your child’s first dental checkups

Here at Australia Fair Dental Care in Southport we urge parents to consult with us to schedule their child’s first dental visit as on as their first tooth erupts It is advantageous for the first visit to occur within six months of eruption of the first tooth and no later than 12 months of age. This allows identification of ‘at risk’ children but importantly provides education on brushing and flossing, adjunctive preventive therapies and dietary advice. Where ECC Is identified, early treatment can prevent significant disease.

At this consult we will also we provide oral health education based on the child’s developmental needs, known as anticipatory guidance. However, its also easy to avoid caries with good dental care, healthy habits and tooth-friendly eating and drinking.

At Australia Fair Dental Care in Southport our team of dedicated and professional dentists care about the health of your Childs teeth and gums.

For discover more about the special children’s dental services we provide, or to arrange an appointment with the friendly team at Australia Fair Dental Care, please contact us.