Baby tooth decay – Causes, Signs & Prevention Tips

The first primary teeth erupted in babies are at risk of getting cavities because those teeth’s outer layer (enamel) is much thinner. If baby teeth decay is left untreated, it will tend to teeth misalignment problems, pain, speech impediments and even life-threatening infections. We are stating this because milk teeth help kids to learn to speak, eat and guide the permanent teeth that erupt into position.

Luckily, such cavities in baby teeth are highly preventable with healthy dental habits. So it is essential to take care of your toddler’s teeth right from the eruption.

What causes cavities in baby teeth?

Mostly, cavities occur when the teeth are exposed to acid-producing bacteria. Such oral bacteria feed on sugar present in foods and drinks we intake. The feeding and caring for your babies may also make their teeth subject to cavities. How?

Here are the possible cases:

• The tooth decay-causing bacteria can spread through saliva. For instance, you have some decayed teeth. When you taste food with a spoon and feed your kid with it without washing, the pathogens in your mouth stick to the utensil and pass over to the kid’s mouth. I eventually end in tooth decay.

• Frequent feeding of energy drinks, soft drinks, fruit juices, vitamin-style waters and other sugary drinks will cause cavities in baby teeth.

• Putting your child sleep with a bottle of milk, juice or other sweetened drinks also exposes the teeth and gums to sugar which feeds bacteria in the mouth to produce caries. This is known as baby bottle tooth decay.

What are the signs of baby tooth decay?

The early stage of childhood caries exhibits white spots on teeth and we cannot identify them with bare eyes.

When the decay progresses, the white spots turn into yellow, black or brown color close to the gum. If it is left untreated, the infected tooth turns into a blackish-black stump indicating advanced decay.

How can you prevent cavities in your kids?

Remember that the milk teeth begin to develop when they are in the womb. So it is crucial to indulge in healthy dental actions before the baby is born. Then healthy eating, good feeding & cleaning habits will prevent your kid’s primary teeth from tooth decay.

Here are the simple ways to prevent child tooth decay or nursing caries:

• After breastfeeding, clean the baby’s gums with a clean wet cloth. When the teeth begin to erupt, apply this teeth cleaning activity after feeding until the kid becomes 1 year old.

• Don’t feed sweet drinks with baby bottles. Meanwhile, don’t use a feeding bottle or sippy cups as pacifiers. Otherwise, use a baby bottle filled with water a pacifier.

• Don’t put your kid to bed with a feeding bottle in mouth.

• When your kid completes 12 months, switch to a regular cup to feed drinks.

• Feed healthy foods like vegetable salads instead of cookies, candy, chips and snacks categorized as junk foods.

• Feeding juice to babies under 6 months is not recommended. If you prefer fruit juices to feed your baby, please dilute it with water in a 1:1 ratio. Keep in mind that frequent feeding of juices between every meal is also detrimental to baby teeth.

Bottom line

Even though fruits and energy drinks are rich in minerals, the sugary substances in them hurt baby teeth. So every patient should aware of the healthy foods, drinks and teething activities to ensure their kid’s teeth are clean.

On the other hand, take your child to a pediatric dentist when the child completes 1 year. Such early check-ups will help in the early detection of milk teeth decay.

Do you have concerns or queries? Ask our pediatric dentist in the comment section.