Tooth decay in children: How to prevent, identify and treat
3/5/2023
Do you remember eagerly waiting for the tooth fairy to leave a shiny coin under your pillow after losing a tooth? As parents, we want our children to have positive feelings about their dental health, but tooth decay in children can make that difficult.
Untreated tooth decay in children impacts 27% of Australians aged 5-10 years. Decay in children’s teeth can not only impact your little one’s health and wellbeing, but the development of their adult teeth as well. Thankfully, early detection and treatment is possible. With the right oral hygiene and regular dental care, your little one can maintain healthy and strong teeth for years to come.
Here’s how to prevent, identify and treat tooth decay in children to keep their smiles bright and beautiful.
What are the causes of tooth decay in children, and what is it?
1. Poor oral hygiene: Children who don't brush their teeth regularly (at least twice a day, and after sugary snacks) are more likely to develop tooth decay. It’s also important to get your little one into the habit of regular flossing, ensuring they are supervised.
2. High sugar consumption: Sugary food and drinks can promote the growth of bacteria in the mouth, leading to kids’ tooth decay. Sugary snacks, chocolate, and soft drinks are big culprits for rotting children’s teeth. Beware of fruit juice too!
3. Lack of fluoride: Fluoride is a mineral that helps to strengthen tooth enamel and prevent tooth decay. Your little one should use a fluoride toothpaste from 18 months old.
5. Dry mouth: Children who suffer from dry mouth have an increased chance of tooth decay and forming cavities, as saliva plays an important role in removing bacteria and plaque.
6. Baby bottle: If your little one has a habit of falling asleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouth, their teeth may be at risk. Even babies and toddlers can experience an acceleration of tooth decay stages if they fall asleep with sugary drinks in their mouth.
With the right oral hygiene and regular dental care, your little one can maintain healthy and strong teeth for years to come.
Signs of tooth decay in children
Our little ones don’t always know how to identify when something is wrong, let alone tell us about it. Knowing how to identify the signs of tooth decay is a powerful way to prevent children’s rotting teeth from getting any worse. Here’s what to watch out for:
Keep in mind that some children may not experience any symptoms of tooth decay, which is why proper oral care and regular dental check-ups are crucial for early detection and treatment.
Tooth sensitivity
Is your child particularly sensitive to hot, cold or sweet food and drinks? This may be an early warning sign of tooth decay.
Discolouration
The affected tooth may appear darker or have white, brown, or black spots.
Tooth pain
As tooth decay progresses, it can cause pain or discomfort, especially when eating or drinking.
Bad breath
Bacteria that cause tooth decay can also cause bad breath in children.
Visible holes or pits
When tooth decay has progressed, visible holes or pits may be present in the teeth.
Swollen or bleeding gums
In some cases, tooth decay can cause inflammation or bleeding of the gums.
Knowing how to identify the signs of tooth decay is a powerful way to prevent children’s rotting teeth from getting any worse.
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Child tooth decay can be harmful to your little one’s health, but it can be detected and treated early. These are the stages of tooth decay in children to be mindful of:
Stage one: White spots
In the earliest stage of tooth decay, white spots or chalky areas may appear on the teeth as plaque builds up. This is a sign that the enamel is starting to break down, and the tooth is losing minerals.
Stage two: Enamel decay
If the decay continues, the enamel will start to break down further as the teeth can’t restore the minerals they need. This can cause sensitivity and pain in the tooth, and a cavity may form. Contact your dentist immediately if so.
Stage three: Dentin decay
If the decay reaches the dentin layer of the tooth, it can cause more severe pain and sensitivity. The decay may also spread more quickly through the enamel, and break down the softer dentin. At this stage, a tooth filling is likely best.
Stage four: Pulp decay
If the decay reaches the pulp, which contains nerves and blood vessels, your child may experience severe pain. Pus will form around the pulp, killing all blood vessels and nerves inside the tooth. At this stage, root canal is the only treatment option that can help.
Stage five: Abscess formation
When the decay has reached the pulp, bacteria can infect it and cause an abscess to form, which is a painful pocket of pus. The most painful stage of tooth decay, it can cause the teeth and gums and tongue to swell and the surrounding bones are at risk of infection. Immediate treatment is needed at this stage, which may involve a dull extraction, root canal or another type of surgery.
Stage six: Loss of tooth
If the initial stages of tooth decay have gone untreated, a tooth extraction is the only remaining option to prevent further damage to your child’s health.
If you suspect your child is experiencing tooth decay at any stage, contact us for a check-up as soon as possible.
When it comes to tooth decay in children, prevention truly is the best cure. There are a number of things you can do to stop your child’s tooth decay from reaching its painful and damaging stages.
Treating tooth decay in children
While there is no way to reverse tooth decay, there are a number of treatment options depending on how progressed our child’s tooth decay is. These include:
Proper oral hygiene
Practising good oral hygiene at home is the most effective way to prevent decay. This includes brushing your child's teeth at least twice a day, flossing once a day, and limiting sugary foods and drinks.
See your dentist
It's important to take your child to the dentist as soon as you notice signs of tooth decay. Professionals can examine the teeth and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Fillings
If the decay is small, your child may be required to get a filling. A filling is a material that is used to fill the cavity and restore the tooth.
Root canal treatment
If the decay has reached the nerve of the tooth, your dentist may recommend a root canal treatment. During this procedure, the dentist will remove the infected nerve and fill the root canal with a special material.
Extraction
In some cases, the tooth may be so decayed that it cannot be saved. In this case, tooth extraction may be the only or best treatment option.
The earlier your detection, the less treatment will be required to prevent more serious dental problems for your little one in the future.
Preventing of tooth decay in children
When it comes to tooth decay in children, prevention truly is the best cure. There are a number of things you can do to stop your child’s tooth decay from reaching its painful and damaging stages.
It starts at home, with healthy dental habits including regular brushing and flossing to prevent any plaque forming on your little one’s teeth. Diet also plays a huge role in tooth decay prevention. Where possible, cut down on sugary and processed foods, fizzy drinks and juices to avoid giving tooth decay a head start.
But of course, life happens and with it may come children’s tooth decay. Along with at-home dental care and healthy diets, regular visits to your dentist are the best way to keep the door shut on decay in your child’s teeth.
