Tooth decay in children: Causes, early signs of recognition

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Trung Hau - Doctor of Odonto-Stomatology - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.

Instructing and creating a habit for children to properly clean their teeth, helping them learn how to take care of their own teeth not only helps prevent tooth decay in children, but also helps them have a beautiful smile and healthy teeth.

After eating, bacteria in food remain on the teeth, stick with saliva to form plaque, and coat the teeth. When babies eat, especially foods from starch and sugar, it will combine with plaque to create acid, which erodes inorganic substances of enamel and dentin, causing tooth decay. The cause of tooth decay is the highest due to the habit of eating too much sugar such as cakes, candies, sweet fruits ... In addition, when the teeth are just beginning to decay but are subjectively not treated early, this is the cause of the condition. tooth decay becomes more serious.

Your baby's teeth are sensitive or painful. Baby's breath has a persistent bad odor. Seeing with the naked eye can see tooth decay, that is, there is an ivory white spot or black dot on the tooth. Regardless of the signs, parents should take the baby to the dentist as soon as possible.

Tooth decay in children causes damage to the tooth pulp. If the pulp is not treated in time, it can cause inflammation of the pulp and can lead to pulp necrosis, causing a tooth abscess (pus in the tooth). Tooth decay in children is also the cause of lymphadenitis, osteomyelitis, cellulitis, and maxillary sinusitis. Children with infection of baby teeth, if not treated properly and promptly, will affect the process of permanent teeth eruption.

When a new tooth decays, parents should take the child to a filling soon to avoid spreading the infection to other teeth, and at the same time to help protect the baby's pulp, not to be sensitive when eating. Cure tooth decay by applying fluoride gel or brushing your child's teeth with a medicine to seal the decay. In case of severe caries and need to scrape off the dentin, the dentist will disinfect, disinfect the cavity and fill the cavity, or extract the tooth or replace the tooth pulp.

Parents should create a habit of taking care of their baby's teeth properly right from the time the baby teeth come in. That is, brush your teeth twice a day, for at least 2 minutes each time. Proper oral hygiene from the time the baby teeth comes in plays an important role and affects the eruption of the baby's permanent teeth. Bacteria can travel from baby teeth to permanent teeth while they are about to erupt, as well as can be passed from parent to child. Therefore, parents need to brush their baby's teeth right from the time the baby has the first tooth, to prevent tooth decay in children later. Choose and have your child use a toothbrush that is comfortable and fits all surfaces of their teeth. When children can brush their own teeth, parents still need to maintain and supervise their child's brushing habits until the child is about 7 years old. Choose and use a toothpaste with the right amount of fluoride for your child. Combined with flossing to help prevent the formation of plaque in the interdental spaces, helping to prevent tooth decay in children. Teach your baby to drink water after every meal. Combination of proper oral hygiene and proper nutrition. Limit giving your baby foods that contain a lot of sugar and starch because these are foods that create conditions for bacteria to grow and cause more plaque. Let your baby get used to and maintain nutritious, oral health foods such as vegetables and fruits, because they can convert baby's saliva into minerals, helping to limit plaque on the teeth. teeth, prevention of tooth decay in children.

BSCK I Nguyen Trung Hau has more than 10 years of experience working in the field of Odonto-Stomatology, Dr. Hau especially has a lot of experience in maxillofacial surgery, cosmetic dentistry, Implant implants. Currently, he is a Doctor of Odonto-Stomatology at the Inter-specialty Clinic of General Internal Medicine, Vinmec International General Hospital, Da Nang.