Bacterial plaque, composed of bacteria in the mouth, produces acids from the residue left behind by sugary and floury foods. These acids dissolve the mineral tissue of the teeth, causing the deterioration of tooth enamel and the onset of tooth decay.

What Happens If Tooth Decay Isn't Treated?

Tooth decay must be treated before it progresses. Because primary teeth are temporary, they are often overlooked by parents, believing they will eventually change. However, it's important to remember that decay in primary teeth can affect the development of future permanent teeth and damage them. The mixed dentition period, which begins with the eruption of the first permanent teeth at age 6 and ends with the loss of all primary teeth at approximately age 12, is called the mixed dentition. Six years of age is not yet a time when children are not yet able to maintain good oral hygiene, yet they still have their first permanent teeth, which they will use for life. Untreated primary tooth decay can lead to pain, bad breath, difficulty chewing, and malnutrition. Decayed teeth that are not treated promptly will need to be extracted, leading to future misalignments, jaw developmental disorders, and, if left untreated, general health problems (rheumatism, heart disease, etc.).

Causes and Treatment of Tooth Decay in Children

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Bacteria in your child's mouth naturally form and form a sticky substance called plaque. This plaque can coat their teeth, and as your child eats, the bacteria in the plaque produce acid. This acid erodes the hard tooth enamel, causing cavities. Excessive consumption of sugary and starchy foods, followed by inadequate tooth brushing, increases the risk of cavities. It's important to include foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vegetables, fruits, milk, and cheese, in their diet. Because children lack the dexterity to achieve effective oral and dental health through proper brushing, they should always be supervised and receive assistance from their parents.

What Are the Symptoms of Cavities?

If your child experiences tooth sensitivity, pain, or persistent bad breath, they may have a cavity. You can sometimes see the cavity as a chalky white patch or a dark stain on the tooth. Children often fail to interpret early signs of tooth decay, such as sensitivity to hot and cold and mild pain, and only notice and complain when the pain becomes unbearable. In this case, the decay is already advanced, and the child may experience severe pain and anxiety at their first dentist visit, which can be the beginning of a very challenging time for both dentists and parents.

Preventing Tooth Decay in Children

Although tooth decay is a preventable disease, there are very few people in the world who haven't experienced it. While children may not be able to adequately care for their oral health, developing good oral hygiene habits can be easily and effectively achieved through family commitment, determination, and regular pediatric dentist checkups. Primary teeth contain more organic matter than permanent teeth, so they decay more easily and quickly. Brushing is the most basic way to prevent tooth decay by removing bacteria and sugars from the mouth. The length of time food residue remains in the mouth is as important as eating habits in the development of tooth decay. Even if brushing after every meal isn't possible, at least rinsing, or if that's not possible, drinking water, is a good precaution. Children usually brush their teeth on the visible or easily accessible surfaces. However, to prevent tooth decay, it's crucial to clean the interdental and chewing surfaces of the teeth more thoroughly. Therefore, parental supervision is crucial after brushing.

No vaccine or medication has yet been developed that can completely prevent tooth decay. However, today, certain filling materials are used to reduce the number of cavities by protecting and strengthening teeth. The most commonly used of these is fissure sealants. Tooth decay generally begins in the fissures, the grooves found on the chewing surfaces of molars and premolars. Fissure sealants seal these grooves, preventing germs and food particles from seeping into the area and preventing the onset of cavities. Fissure sealants also contribute to strengthening the tooth structure with the fluoride they contain. This procedure can be applied to all primary molars, permanent molars and premolars emerging from age 6 onward, and also to adults at high risk of cavities.

Another way to prevent cavities is to increase tooth resistance with topical fluoride application. Fluoride is an element that prevents tooth decay and strengthens the structure of teeth. Fluoride is found in toothpastes and some foods. However, because children often swallow toothpaste while brushing, children's toothpastes are either completely absent or contain very low amounts of fluoride. Consequently, children's teeth are not receiving enough fluoride to help them resist decay. Professional topical fluoride applications are used in such cases. Professional topical fluoride application is a method only available to dentists. Topical fluoride application is safe for all children, not just those prone to decay. This ensures that a sufficient amount of fluoride is deposited on the teeth, strengthening their structure and making them more resistant to decay.