Excessive consumption of sugary and starchy foods and poor oral hygiene habits are likely causes of cavities in children. Mouth bacteria feeds on the remnant sugar and starch from foods, producing acid that eats through the teeth. Some kids never get cavities due to genetics, but cavities are largely preventable with proper oral care and healthy diets.
Risk Factors
Children are at increased risk for tooth decay. One quarter of children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old have at least one cavity, and half of all children between the ages of 12 to 15 have at least one cavity. Parents who put their baby to sleep with a bottle in his or her mouth may create a condition known as bottle mouth. Bottle mouth occurs when sugars from milk or juice remain on the baby's teeth for hours, eventually eating away at the enamel. Children with diets that are rich in sweets, sugars and carbohydrates and children who do not drink fluoridated water are also at greater risk for tooth decay.
Early Dental Car and Symptoms
Dental care should begin before the first tooth appears. Teeth form during the third trimester of pregnancy. By the time a child is born, he has 20 primary teeth. Parents can begin caring for their child's teeth by running a damp cloth over the baby's gums after feeding. Babies can experience tooth decay if proper care is not taken. Symptoms for tooth decay vary in children. Some children develop white spots on the decaying tooth. The cavity appears as a brown spot that progressively becomes darker.
Prevention
The American Dental Association advises that parents take their child to the dentist on her first birthday. Children should brush their teeth twice a day with fluoridated toothpaste and floss daily after the age of 2. Children should also visit the dentist every 6 months. Their diets should be well balanced, with limited intake of junk food and sugary beverages.
Treatment
Children who have cavities usually require a filling. Dentists remove the decayed substance in the tooth and replace it with a silver or white fillings. Porcelain veneers, crowns and cast gold restorations may also be used to restore decayed or damaged teeth.
