1. Plaque and Bacteria
Everyone has lots of bacteria in their mouths. Whilst many are harmless some will feed off the carbohydrates and sugars we leave in our mouths.
Plaque Build Up
When your child eats food gets mixed with saliva and the natural bacteria in their mouth. This creates a sticky clear substance called plaque. Plaque will always stick to the teeth.
Bacteria Breakdown
The harmful bacteria within the plaque breaks down the sugars from our food and releases harsh acids.
Tooth Enamel Loss
These harsh acids remove the important minerals from the enamel such as Calcium and Phosphate.
Small Holes/Cavities Form
Over time the enamel becomes worn down creating small holes in the teeth called cavities.
2. Too Much Sugar
Cavity causing bacteria thrive on sugar. Many modern diets are filled with lots of added sugar, increasing tooth decay in young children.
Fruit Juices, Sodas
Fruit juices, sodas, sports drinks and sweetened teas all create a sugary coating on the teeth allowing bacteria easy access.
Sticky Foods/Dried Fruit
Fruit gummiest, fruit leather, raisins and chewy sweets all stick to the back of the teeth creating long lasting acids.
Processed Food
Crackers, crisps, white bread and pretzels all break down into sugary substances whilst being eaten creating sugary pastes between the teeth.
Snacking
Snacking on sugary foods throughout the day means their mouth is constantly under attack from acids, with no time for the saliva to repair.
3. Bedtime Bottles
If your infant is exposed to sugary liquids for long periods of time, such as at nap or bedtime, they can suffer from infant caries also known as baby bottle tooth decay.
Bedtime Bottles
Give your baby a bottle of milk, formula, fruit juice or sweetened water at nap or bedtime can cause serious issues.
Reduced Saliva
Your child’s saliva levels will drop whilst sleeping. Saliva helps to clean the mouth by washing away any remaining sugars and reducing the acids.
Too Much Pooling
The bottle will pool around the front top teeth causing serious quick enamel damage.
Pacifiers Soaked In Sweetness
Soaking your pacifier in honey, syrups and sweetened juices can expose your baby’s fragile enamel to high levels of sugar.
4. Poor Brushing and Flossing
Young children won’t have good motor skills to clean their teeth. Poor brushing techniques can leave lots of plaque.
Not Brushing At Night
If your child isn’t brushing their teeth at night then plaque and food will build up on the enamel.
Brushing For Short Periods
Most young children will brush for less that 30 seconds. Leaving the back molars and inner parts of the teeth.
Not Flossing
Flossing removes food from the tight gaps between the teeth. If you don’t floss everyday then inter-proximal cavities will occur.
Young Children Under 8
Young children under 8 rarely have the physical ability to brush their teeth properly. Parents should help and monitor.
5. No Fluoride
Fluoride is a natural mineral that plays a huge part in protecting your child’s teeth. If there isn’t enough fluoride then their enamel will be weak.
Strengthen Enamel
Fluoride will bond to the enamel helping to protect the teeth from the harsh bacterial acids.
Reverse Early Cavities
Fluoride will replace the lost minerals to reverse early enamel damage.
No Fluoride In Bottled Water
If your family drinks bottled water with no fluoride or uses well water with no fluoride then your child may not be getting the daily protection.
Non Fluoride Toothpaste
Using non fluoride toothpaste in older children will reduce their natural defense against aggressive plaque.
6. Passing On Bacteria
Babies don’t have the bacteria that cause cavities. Parents and carers often pass the bacteria onto their children.
Passing On Bacteria Through Saliva
Cleaning a dropped pacifier with your mouth, tasting your baby’s food with their spoon and sharing cups will pass bacteria such as Streptococcus mutants onto your child.
Early Onset Of Bacteria
Passing on cavity causing bacteria whilst your child hasn’t developed their primary teeth will cause a high risk.
Parents With Untreated Cavities
Parents with untreated cavities and high levels of bacteria will have a higher chance of passing on harmful bacteria.
7. Deep Pits
Some children have very deep pits in their molars. This means food gets stuck in the tight pits making them difficult to clean.
Deep Pits
Many children will have very deep pits in their molars. This makes it easy for food to get stuck in the tight pits making them difficult to clean.
Thin Enamel
Some children will have thin, weak enamel due to being born too early, low birth weight, mum being ill during pregnancy or severe infections as an infant.
Overcrowded/Crooked Teeth
If your child has overcrowded/crooked teeth then there will be tight gaps for food to get stuck.
8. Dry Mouth
Saliva is your child’s natural defense. Anything that reduces natural saliva will increase the risk of cavities.
Mouth Breathing
Children who suffer from enlarged tonsils/adenoids or chronic allergies will breath through their mouth causing dryness.
Medications
Some medications used on children will reduce the natural saliva from the glands. Such as anti-histamines, decongestants and Asthma medication.
Not Enough Saliva
Without enough saliva your child won’t be able to wash away their food or reduce the harsh bacterial acids.
9. Late Appointments
Not taking your child to the dentist until they are in severe pain can cause small issues to become major issues.
Late First Appointment
Pediatric dentists recommend taking your child to the dentist for the first appointment by their first birthday or when their first tooth comes through. This will help identify any risks early.
Not Getting Professional Cleanings
If your child doesn’t go for cleanings every 6 months then the dentist won’t be able to remove the hardened plaque.
Not Getting Protective Treatments
If your child doesn’t attend appointments regularly then they won’t receive any protective treatments such as fluoride varnishes and dental sealants.
Top Tips To Prevent Tooth Decay
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Brush your child’s teeth twice a day for 2 minutes using a soft toothbrush.
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Use a small amount of fluoride toothpaste for infants and a pea sized amount for children 3+
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Floss your child’s teeth everyday once they have 2 teeth touching.
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Monitor your child whilst they brush until they are 8+.
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Don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice or sweetened liquids.
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Try to limit your child eating sugary foods, chewy fruits, processed crisps and sweetened drinks.
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Encourage your child to drink tap water throughout the day to rinse away food.
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Don’t share spoons, lick pacifiers or share cups with your child.
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Take your child to see a dentist for the first appointment by their first birthday or when their first tooth comes through.
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Ask your pediatric dentist about dental sealants for your permanent molars.
FAQs
Why should I care about my child’s baby teeth?
Primary teeth are vital to keep space for permanent teeth to come through straight. If your child loses their baby teeth too early due to decay then their neighboring teeth will move causing serious overcrowding, bite issues and speech problems. Severe decay can also cause damage to the permanent teeth growing underneath.
When should I start brushing my child’s teeth?
Even before their first tooth comes through you should wipe their gums with a clean damp cloth after feeds. Once the first tooth comes through you should use a soft baby toothbrush and a small amount of fluoride toothpaste.
Are fruit juices bad for my young child?
Yes! 100% fruit juices can contain high levels of natural sugars and acids. Drinking fruit juice regularly will leave a sugary coating on your child’s teeth. Health organizations recommend not giving babies under 1 years old any juice. Older children should have limited amounts.
How do dental sealants help?
Dental sealants are thin layers of plastic that are brushed onto the biting surfaces of the back molars. This will fill all the deep pits and set creating a smooth surface to stop food and cavity causing bacteria getting in.