According to the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay is the most common chronic infectious disease affecting children in America. Your child's dentist or dental hygienist evaluates your child for tooth decay, also called dental caries, each time you take her for a visit. If your 5-year-old has tooth decay, the dentist can instruct you on good dental hygiene to prevent further decay.
Plaque
Plaque is a clear, sticky substance that builds up on your child's teeth during the course of the day and when he sleeps. It is made up of food particles, saliva and the bacteria that live and feed in the mouth. If plaque is allowed to sit on the teeth, it begins to make tiny holes in the enamel. Once the plaque is able to get through the enamel, it can erode the next layer of your child's tooth, called the dentin. As these holes get bigger, more bacteria and plaque get in, causing larger cavities.
Dental Hygiene
The best way to prevent dental decay is to teach your child good dental hygiene. She should brush her teeth after each meal; if that is not possible, brush once in the morning and once before bed. Your 5-year-old may not have the dexterity necessary to do a good job brushing; show her how to brush her teeth, then take a turn brushing them for her, especially before she goes to bed. Also, teach her how to use dental floss. Flossing sticks, which look like curved toothpicks with dental floss attached, make it easier for small fingers to maneuver between the teeth. Again, you may need to help with this.
Fluoride and Sealants
Fluoride is a naturally-occurring chemical that is added to many cities' water supplies. It is also added to toothpaste for its cavity-fighting properties. If your town does not add fluoride to their water supply, or if you have well water, your child may need fluoride supplements to prevent dental decay. Because too much fluoride can cause spots on the teeth, ask his dentist before giving him supplements. Your 5-year-old's first permanent molars should begin to make their appearance soon. When they come in, ask his dentist whether he should have sealants, which is a liquid used to seal bacteria out of the crevices of permanent molars to help prevent tooth decay.
Abscess
If you suspect that your child has dental decay, make an appointment with her dentist as soon as possible. If left alone, tooth decay can cause a tooth abscess, which can be both painful and dangerous. Symptoms include a toothache, fever, swollen glands and, in severe cases, facial swelling. Treatment may include antibiotics, filling the cavity or extraction.
