Tooth decay. Why do they appear and how do we treat them?
Because many parents wonder how and why caries occurs in children, we thought it would be useful to explain in this article the causes of this condition, its factors and the 4 mistakes that parents often make. Thus, it will be much easier for you to prevent cavities in baby teeth, if they have not already appeared. And if they have appeared, you will find out what treatments are urgent and necessary for your child's teeth.
THE MAIN CAUSE FOR WHICH CHILDREN HAVE CARIATE MILK TEETH
In the human body, both in children and in adults, there are billions of bacteria that are grouped according to the specific action of each group. When we are healthy, these groups of microbes coexist in a certain proportion, balanced. As some groups become more numerous and others dwindle, the imbalance that results in the disease occurs. Thus, like many other conditions, Tooth decay occurs as a result of bacterial imbalance.
At the same time we must say that microbes can be of 2 types: some common, called to take advantage, which is everywhere in the cavities of our body, and others dangerous or pathogenic, which develops in a mouth with decayed teeth and / or periodontal pockets.
4 FREQUENT MISTAKES OF PARENTS
In order to prevent the appearance of caries in baby teeth, it is essential to know the main factors that favor the bacterial imbalance. By knowing and being aware of every mistake we make, we can easily prevent the child's caries from occurring. So let's see further what are the 4 mistakes frequently made by parents, that is exactly the factors that favor the appearance of caries.
MISTAKES #1: INCORRECT EATING
- Immediately after each meal, an acidic bacterial plaque forms in the child's mouth and stomach, necessary for the decomposition of food. In the afternoon, the acidity gradually disappears and the teeth begin to remineralize and recover autonomously. If not enough time is left between meals, the acidity persists, the teeth do not have time to recover and thus the enamel layer is affected. To avoid this problem, parents should feed the child with sufficient breaks between meals at intervals communicated by the pediatrician.
- Also, a common mistake is a diet rich in sugars that generally affects the whole body of the child, and in particular baby dentition (sugars amplify acidity). Even if there are natural sugars obtained from fructose and lactose in fruit juice, honey, milk, etc., parents must dose the quantities according to the pediatrician's instructions.
ERROR #2: CONTACT WITH PARENTS 'SALIVA
- We know from childhood or maybe later, from contagious diseases - measles, chickenpox, etc. Of course, few people know that they are also contagious - well, that's right! Caries is contagious 100%, so many gestures we make instinctively should be evaluated and some even removed from common habits.
- What causes tooth decay are specific groups of microbes, some of which are naturally in the mouth of each of us in a predetermined balance, but they can change at any time. And another part of these microbes are dangerous / pathogenic and can pass through saliva from one person to another, and clearly from one tooth to another.
- The gesture of the mother, who before putting the pacifier in the child's mouth first puts it in her mouth to moisten it or for other reasons, is not hygienic. The pacifier contaminates the baby's clean mouth with the mother's pathogenic microbes. Therefore, each child must have his own toothbrush, take it everywhere with him and also eat only with his teaspoon / cutlery.
ERROR #3: DEFICIENT ORAL HYGIENE
- Ordinary young children with proper oral hygiene will have healthy teeth when they become adults. The partial or total lack of dental hygiene of the child is another common mistake that leads to cavities.
- Oral hygiene is mandatory to prevent tooth decay and begins right at the time of the eruption of the first baby tooth.
- A particular case related to hygiene before bed is that of bottle caries, caries that occurs due to the fact that the baby is not brushing his teeth before bed, after consuming sweet liquids.
MISTAKES #4: DELAYING PERIODIC DENTAL INSPECTION
- Most parents do not know that caries develops extremely quickly in the baby tooth. This is because the enamel layer of the tooth is thin and quickly affected compared to that of the adult tooth. From a small depigmentation to a deep caries, everything happens very quickly in the case of children's teeth.
- Even caring parents can make mistakes. They can check the child's dentition on a daily basis, but it is very likely that they will not be able to notice the caries that have appeared in hard to reach areas, areas that only a dentist can analyze correctly and in depth.
REMINELARIZATION TREATMENT, A MEASURE TO BE TAKEN QUICKLY
The transition from tooth decay to tooth decay is a very important reason why baby teeth should be treated immediately. Why? Because a healthy tooth in contact with a decayed one will lead to the transfer of caries-destroying microbes to the enamel of the whole. And so a small carious destruction begins there.
- If you notice the slightest stain on your baby tooth, see your dentist immediately and he or she will apply a tooth decay reminalization treatment.
- If you delay the treatment, the child will have to apply more and more invasive methods, corresponding to the degree of caries.
WHAT TREATMENTS APPLY TO TIMES NOT TREATED IN TIME?
A) SHUTTER
The physiognomic filling of the baby tooth is a caries cleaning and removal treatment, followed by filling. After the treatment, the tooth is restored and the spread of caries to the other teeth is prevented.
B) CHANNEL TREATMENT
When the caries is very deep, it has affected the nerve but it has not yet reached the root of the tooth, the dentist will apply both the filling procedure and the root canal treatment. These procedures will stop the evolution of caries and will prevent the total compromise of the baby tooth.
C) EXTRACTION
When the decay of the baby tooth has affected the nerve and the root has become infected, it means that the tooth is completely compromised and needs extraction. Most of the time the infection looks like a swelling at the base of the tooth and is called an abscess.
WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DO NOT TREAT THE CHILD'S CARIES AT ALL?
- The postponement of the visit to the dental clinic results in an escalation of the disease: caries is becoming more and more aggressive.
- In the very advanced stage, when the abscess is observed, the baby tooth must be extracted. Otherwise, there is a risk of affecting the color and structure of future permanent teeth.
- The infection can spread in the child's body and can cause serious complications such as growth defects and diseases of the urinary, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
DOES YOUR CHILD HAVE ONE OR MORE CARS?
Regardless of the situation, remember that regular visits to the dentist are the best way to prevent tooth decay.
CLINICA DR. Nassar
HEALTHY TEETH DEVELOPMENT
PLAY TREATMENTS FOR CHILDREN
ZERO PAIN TREATMENTS
CORRECT SPEECH AND MASTICATION
HEALTHY PERMANENT TEETH
Anca Constantin
Specialist in endodontics, aesthetics, prosthetics, pedodontics & orodental prevention.
