Dental Caries in Children
Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the world. Caries destroys the hard tissues of the teeth to varying degrees, and as a result may cause a range of complaints.
The possible complaints in children are:
- Toothache.
- Loss of teeth and damage to the chewing (masticatory) system.
- Esthetic impairment.
- Danger of infections in the oral cavity.
- Impaired eating and sleeping routine.
- Insufficient physical development (height and weight).
Figures in Israel indicate that more than half of children suffer from caries from kindergarten age – this is known as early childhood caries (ECC). The main cause of caries is multiple exposures to food with a high sugar content and sweetened drinks. Their constant, regular consumption causes repeated coating of the teeth with sugars, resulting in the development of caries.
The caries formation process
Our mouths naturally contain bacteria, which accumulate on the surfaces of our teeth, to form with saliva a white or yellow film called bacterial plaque. These bacteria proliferate in an environment of foods with a high sugar content. So when we consume sugar and simple carbohydrates at high frequencies and quantities and do not see to sufficient oral hygiene, the bacteria in the plaque may form an acid that damages the tooth’s outer enamel layer.
Diagnosis of caries
Dentists can diagnose caries by inspecting the oral cavity, sometimes using x-rays for confirmation. In the case of caries at initial stages, the tooth changes color to white (like chalk). Later, defects in the tooth structure may occur and they become light brown or black.
Prevention of caries in infants and children
To prevent the development of caries and reduce damage, it’s important to look after the teeth from infancy by following the rules below:
-
1Maintaining oral hygiene
It is important to take care to clean infants’ and toddlers’ teeth with a toothpaste containing fluoride at an age appropriate concentration twice a day: in the morning and evening at bedtime.
-
2Exposure to fluoride
To increase teeth’s durability, it is recommended to expose children to fluoride by using toothpaste and mouth washes (mouth washes are suitable from age 6 onward only) and by having professionals applying fluoride (in gel or varnish form). Fluoride accumulates in the saliva and the bacterial plaque and from there penetrates the tooth enamel, strengthens its structure and makes it more resistant to the acidity in the mouth, which causes caries to develop.
-
3Drinking water
It is important to avoid giving an infant sweetened drinks to soothe or pamper them. Don’t let them rest or sleep with a bottle containing infant formula, milk, fruit juice, water with sugar, flavored water or any other liquid besides water. Water is the best drink between meals and the only liquid that children are allowed to keep in their mouth for long times.
-
4Reducing sugar consumption
The main cause of caries formation is the sugar in food, so it is recommended to reduce the consumption and frequency of sweetened foods and drinks. It is not recommended to add sugar or honey to foods, and if you feel the need to serve children foods containing sugar, it is important to make sure to do so as part of a meal rather than between meals. The saliva and liquids that we drink during meals wash away the food particles on our teeth. Also, in the case of infants, do not give them a pacifier dipped in sugar, honey or any other sweet coating.
-
5Less snacking between meals
It is recommended to keep to a minimum the amount of snacks children eat between meals, and to prefer healthy snacks such as cheeses, fresh fruits and vegetables. If children eat a snack nonetheless, it’s important to wash the mouth afterward, because during eating, the mouth environment often becomes acidic and exposed to caries.
-
6No passing objects “from mouth to mouth”
It is best not to taste an infant’s food with the teaspoon used to feed them, or clean a pacifier in our mouths. Such actions may transmit bacteria that cause caries.
-
7Periodical checkup at a dental clinic
It is important to bring the infant to their first checkup as early as possible. Dental treatments for children up to the age of 18 are included in the health services basket of the HMOs.