Tooth decay affects most children and is one of the parents' biggest concerns. But do we know what causes them? Do we prevent them correctly? Are they spread? Today we bring you Ten facts about tooth decay that will help us prevent them and that our children grow up with a healthier mouth.
What is tooth decay
Dental caries is a tooth infection, a bacterial disease that is characterized in that it destroys the dental structures, the tissues of the tooth, as a consequence of the demineralization produced by the acids generated by the bacterial plaque. These microbes that live in our mouth make acid from food debris. It is the most common chronic childhood disease.
Dental destruction is associated with the intake of sugars and acids contained in beverages and food, although this has a lot to do with errors in hygiene techniques, lack of tooth brushing or the absence of dental floss, as well as, to a lesser extent. measure, genetics. The influence of saliva pH in relation to caries has also been verified. We see it below.
Why tooth decay occurs
As we have advanced, after eating the sugars in food (carbohydrates that produce sugars, acidic drinks, medicines ...) that have remained in the mouth are metabolized by the bacterial plaque and in this process some acids are produced that make Let the pH of the oral cavity decrease. The decrease in pH attacks the mineral structure of the enamel causing its demineralization.
Between these microorganisms responsible for caries, the "Streptococcus mutans" is the main germ that forms, together with the "Lactobacillus", quickly colonizing the oral cavity, something that can be avoided with proper hygiene of mouth and teeth.
Although the bacteria that produce acid are the main one, several factors converge in the formation of caries. There are more susceptible teeth (for example if they are in the demineralization cycle), fermented carbohydrates (sweets, milk etc ...), the time or frequency with which the teeth are exposed to sugar-derived acids and the quality of oral hygiene
How do cavities evolve? They hurt?
The first phase of tooth decay is the destruction of enamel. After this first demineralization of the outer layer of the tooth, tooth decay goes inside and attacks the dentin, reaching the dental pulp or inner tissue of the tooth, producing its inflammation (pulpitis), and subsequent necrosis (pulp death).
It is convenient to detect caries in time because otherwise, if the tooth is not treated, it can cause an inflammation of the area around the root end, causing more serious disorders (apical periodontitis, dental abscess, Ludwig's angina or gangrenous felon ...)
In the first stage, when tooth decay only affects the enamel, it does not produce pain. But if it is not treated and the lesion spreads, it will eventually reach the inner tissue of the tooth. Then, if the child drinks sweets, cold or hot drinks, he will feel pain. As the infection progresses, it passes to the innermost soft tissues, to the nerve, pus forms as a result of the infection and the painful phlegm appears.
From what age are children cavities
The well-known bottle caries can appear from early childhood, that is, when the first teeth appear. Therefore, it is essential to start an early oral hygiene and not think that, because they are non-definitive milk teeth, they should not be taken care of. To start, you can start by cleaning gums and teeth with a small damp gauze after eating and before bedtime.
Cavities can appear from the first milk tooth. That is why it is essential to maintain oral hygiene since they are babies.In addition, there are other tips to avoid bottle caries that we should not forget, such as not giving babies sweet or sugary drinks, infusions, juices ... and especially not letting you sleep with the bottle in your mouth.
Freshly born baby teeth are especially susceptible to decay, as they are still weak and not yet completely mineralized. If, at this delicate stage, germs adhere to the tooth and are not removed with proper brushing, there is a high risk of tooth decay.
We must bear in mind that baby teeth will remain in the child's mouth for many years, until the first five or six years begin to fall and until the age of twelve or thirteen when the last ones fall and are all definitive, for What you have to take care of them.
According to the large National Survey on Oral Health in preschool children in 2007, the prevalence of caries in temporary dentition is 36%.
What are the caries risk factors in childhood
Cavities are mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. If proper cleaning of the mouth is not carried out, the risk is maximum. We must try to eliminate all the remains of food and beverages after eating, especially if we talk about sweets, soft drinks or sugary juices, pastries ...
In addition, the longer it takes to start dental hygiene processes, the more likely the child is to have cavities. But there are other risk factors for dental caries in children, which we will now list:
Inappropriate eating habits: give the baby pacifiers or sweetened teats; bottle sweetened to sleep; if the child frequently drinks sugars and sugary drinks ...
Dry mouth syndrome (there is no natural protection of saliva).
Diseases in which there is a high risk in dental manipulation: heart disease; immunosuppression (including HIV); hemophilia and other coagulation disorders.
Genetics or family history of frequent caries.
Tobacco smoke would affect passive smoking children, increasing the risk of caries.
Is caries spread?
Caries itself is not contagious. What can be transmitted to the child are the germs responsible for tooth decay, which are much more numerous in a person with cavities. However, even if the adult does not have cavities, it does transmit the usual germs through saliva.
Therefore, it is not recommended that parents use as a cleaning tool for pacifiers, teats, spoons ... our own mouth, that we do not share cutlery, do not bite their food ... And if we give them kisses on the mouth, that is when we have it clean . Unfortunately, there are other more dangerous diseases that can be transmitted to the baby, unwittingly, through a kiss.
How to know if my child has cavities
The time factor plays an important role in the detection of caries and this has to be diagnosed by the dentist. The Spanish Society of Pediatric Dentistry (SEOP) recommends that the first visit to the dentist is made the first year of life, and the pediatric dentist will make periodic reviews preferably every six months.
If we wait for caries to be visible to us, we are already late, because the first phase of the infection has been overcome. The first sign that there are cavities is the appearance of a change of color in the tooth that becomes whitish and dull. Later, more severe symptoms are observed, such as a yellow, brown or black border at the level of the hilly area, hole in the enamel, breakage and destruction of the tooth ... We hope to never reach these stages.
We can pay special attention to the molars, since they are the most susceptible to caries because it usually starts in the places that hold food the most.
Treatment of caries in milk teeth
Again the protagonist at this point is the pediatric dentist, who will determine if the affected tooth is temporary or permanent and will act accordingly.
In temporary teeth, if tooth decay does not affect the nervous tissue of the tooth (it is superficial) a filling is made.
Fluoridation, under the control of the pediatric dentist, is also used to fight early decay.
If the injury reaches the nerve, a pulpotomy or treatment of the nerve is performed (other than endodontics performed on definitive teeth).
When tooth decay has caused a large hole in the tooth, metal crowns are applied that cover it and help the child to chew well.
Tooth extraction is only done at the last end, if there is no other solution because the infection has spread and affected the root. In these cases, a space maintainer is installed to prevent that gap not being clogged, preventing the final tooth from erupting properly.
When tooth decay affects a definitive tooth
Infections in the temporary teeth that reach the root because they have not been treated in time or properly will create a bag of pus that will affect the permanent tooth (malformations, spots or secondary lesions ...).
In any case, in the final teeth the dental filling is one of the most effective solutions to treat a caries, although this method can be used only if the caries does not affect the nervous tissue. In other cases, it would act as when the teeth are made of milk (crowns ...) except if the very damaged piece is removed, when a root canal will be performed, that is, the removal of the dental pulp and the subsequent filling and sealing of the cavity pulp with an inert material.
Prevent cavities in children
Dental caries are very common in children, but preventable. We have already commented throughout the article several tips to prevent cavities in children:
Clean the baby's gums with a small moistened gauze.
Do not give sugary drinks or leave the bottle to sleep.
Do not suck your pacifier or use your cutlery.
When you have teeth, you have to brush them properly, with a special, soft brush and using toothpaste specific for children with the right amount of fluoride.
Help the child brush his teeth until he learns to do it alone and be careful not to swallow paste.
Brush your teeth after each meal and before bedtime.
The child does not have to take sweets, sugary drinks, industrial pastries frequently ... After taking these foods, he has to brush his teeth well.
Visit the dentist in the recommended reviews.
We hope that these ten facts about tooth decay help us prevent them in childrenIt is very important for your health and to save us some uncomfortable visits to the dentist. We must never neglect periodic reviews, but if they do not give us bad news related to tooth decay, better than better.
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In Babies and more | Risk factors for childhood tooth decay, Juices and soft drinks: acids, sugars and cavities, Nine habits that can harm the child's oral health
