EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES: AN ALARMING SITUATION

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES: AN ALARMING SITUATION

Early childhood caries are cavities that form in your child's tooth before he or she is 6 years old.

             The cavities can start as soon as the tooth starts to erupt!!!!

Early Childhood Caries are also called BABY BOTTLE SYNDROME OR NURSING CARIES. Tooth decay formation starts when sticky or sugary foods remain in contact with child's tooth for a longer period of time. This includes formula, breast milk, fruit juice, cow milk or any sugary drink given in a bottle,or breastmilk during breastfeeding. Your child may have less saliva and swallow less often while he or she  sleeps.This means liquid stays on his or her teeth longer than when he or she is awake.

Mothers with untreated dental disease present a very high risk of early childhood caries to their children due to transmission of bacteria through breastfeed.

The ECC can significantly affect the child's quality of life as it may lead to infection, swelling, pain and other symptoms. The ECC affcts children after eruption of milk teeth until age 6.

In primary teeth,dental caries is a reversible and preventable disease if treated in early stages,but when left untreated it leads to pain, infection, alteration in growth and develpment, premature tooth loss,speech disorder,increase in treatment costs,loss of confidence and also affect successor permanent teeth.

The habit of feeding young children at night using nursing bottle or sippy cups will increase risk of cavities.This habit will elevate the chance of dental caries due to low flow rate of saliva at night.

HOW TO DIAGNOSE ECC

The earliest signs are white spots along the gum line,near the upper front teeth. You may not be able to see these spots. Your child may not have any symptoms if the dental cavities have just started to form. When the dental caries reach deeper parts of your child's tooth, he or she may have pain. The pain may get worse when your child chews or eats hot and cold foods.

   

       PREVENTION AT HOME

1. Lift the lip and check monthly.
2. Healthy foods and drinks.
3. No sippy cups.
4. Use of flouride toothpaste.
5. Dental appointment before their first birthday.
6. Wipe infants gums and tongue.

      TREATMENT OF ECC

1. Flouride treatments may be given at dental office or at home.                                  
2. Dental fillings are also a treatment of choice in early cases. 
3. Regular visit to dentist may prevent formation of cavities.
                               
4. Avoid giving milk bottle to your child during night time. If you do need to feed your       baby,wipe his or her teeth with a clean washcloth after feeding.This will remove           milk or formula before you lay him or her to sleep.
5. Teach your child to use regular cup for drinking as early as by 12 months.
6 .Foods which are low in sugar should be preffered over candy,cookies and soda.
7. Sweetened paccifiers should be stopped.

 For more queries contact:

DR SUNANDA GOGIA

HAPPY TOOTH DENTAL CLINIC NOIDA

Shop.no. 9 Ground FLOOR SETHI ARCADE SEC 76 NOIDA.PN. NO. 8527623340