Does Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth Cause Permanent Harm?

All parents know the need to keep their children strong and healthy, but keeping baby (temporary) teeth healthy can sometimes be overlooked.

This is often because the temporary nature of these teeth makes them seem less critical.

But childhood tooth decay is the most common chronic disease suffered by our children. Estimates vary, but up to 40% of children are believed to have at least one cavity in the first five years of their life.

These cavities can surprisingly damage oral health in the present and future children. In this post, we will discuss how tooth decay can harm your child and what you can do to prevent it.

Let’s take a closer look at these issues.

Why do baby teeth matter?

Despite the misconception that losing baby teeth isn’t a problem as they will be lost anyway, there are several good reasons to be concerned about cavities and the early loss of temporary (baby) teeth.

Placement and spacing. Temporary teeth create the spaces into which permanent teeth grow.

If temporary teeth are lost early, the spacing of permanent teeth can be harmed, leading to the need for orthodontic treatment in the future.

Other problems can arise from early tooth loss:

• Dental pain from cavities can cause children to avoid chewing, leading to poor nutrition. Untreated cavities can also lead to an infection that reaches other areas of the body and the brain.
• If baby teeth develop, an abscess or infection can harm tooth development, damaging the permanent tooth below.
• The tongue, lips, and cheeks work together to help us speak. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, it can lead to permanent problems with pronunciation. Children with unhealthy, poorly spaced, and misaligned teeth often don’t speak well, which can lead to social issues and speech problems down the road.
• Self-esteem – decayed teeth are unattractive and can decrease a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Children can be highly thoughtless, and you don’t want your child picked on because of an unattractive smile.

The best approach is to prevent tooth decay in infants, children, adults, or seniors. We’ll discuss that in a bit.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay

Parents may not be able to detect that severe damage has been done; however, here are a few things to look for:

• White deposits near the gumline.
• Brown spots along the gumline.
• Unexplained changes in eating habits. If your child prefers soft foods or avoids cold, hot, sweet, or hard foods, they may suffer from tooth decay.

What can a parent do?

As your child grows, there are a few things you can do:

Up to one year old. Before any teeth erupt, clean your baby’s mouth. Use a baby washcloth to wipe their gums. This helps them get used to oral hygiene from a very early age.

When the first tooth erupts, move to use a toothbrush and a tiny dab of toothpaste. Flossing should begin once two teeth touch, and it is up to an adult to do it.

Don’t allow your child to sleep with food or a baby bottle. This can cause baby bottle rot, ear infections, and choking.

Similarly, don’t allow your child to drink from a bottle for too long (water excluded) and don’t use bottles as pacifiers.

After one year, switch your child from a bottle to a cup to avoid liquid pooling in the mouth.

Don’t make this shift until 12 months, as the sucking action required by bottles helps the tongue and facial muscles develop.

One to three years. After breakfast and before bed, brush your child’s teeth for two minutes, reaching all mouth quadrants.

Make an appointment to have your child see us at Captivate Dental at the age of 1.

One of the most important habits to establish with children is visiting the dentist regularly.

Your Cheltenham dentist will evaluate their teeth and gums and suggest how to care for them correctly.

Establishing this relationship early will prevent the child from being afraid of the dentist later.

At our first meeting, we can acclimate your child to the dental office and get an early look at their oral health.

Complete Dental Care in Cheltenham

At Captivate Dental, we provide high-quality care and help people make educated decisions.

Our competent, caring staff provides value through excellent diagnostic skills and efficient use of the best quality materials.

Captivate Dental offers various preventative and cosmetic dental treatments for children, seniors, and everyone!

GAP FREE Promotions for our New Patients

No Gap Initial Examination, Clean, Fluoride treatment and 2x X-rays for all Private Health Insurance Dental coverage

Child Dental Benefits Schedule

Bulk Bill for children who are eligible for MEDICARE CHILD DENTAL BENEFIT SCHEDULE

Please call us to check eligibility and balance.

If you are worried about your baby’s tooth development, call us at (03) 9553 1249, visit us online, or use our convenient online booking page.

We are located at 36 Chesterville Road in Cheltenham.