Early Childhood Caries
Toddler tooth decay is a concern for parents
because 42% of children ages 2 to 11 develop a cavity in their primary teeth.
Cavities (also known as caries or tooth decay) are one of the most common chronic diseases.
Untreated cavities can cause pain and infections that may lead to problems with eating, speaking, playing, and learning.
Other oral health problems include:
- Calculus
- Gingivitus
- Periodontitis
- Bad Breath
- Sensitive teeth
The good news is that these problems are preventable. Children who brush daily with fluoride toothpaste will have fewer cavities.
What causes tooth decay in a child?
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria. It can happen when foods containing carbohydrates are left on the teeth.
Such foods include
milk, 
soda, 
raisins, 
candy, 
cake, 
fruit juices, 
cereals, and 
bread. 
Bacteria that normally live in the mouth change these foods, making acids. The combination of bacteria, food, acid, and saliva form a substance called plaque that sticks to the teeth. Over time, the acids made by the bacteria eat away at the tooth enamel, causing cavities.
How Sugar Causes Cavities
It's common knowledge that sugar is bad for your teeth.That said, sugar on its own is not the culprit.
Many different types of bacteria live in your mouth. Some are beneficial to your dental health, but others are harmful.The harmful bacteria produce acid in your mouth whenever they digest sugar .
These acids remove minerals from the tooth enamel, which is the shiny, protective, outer layer of your tooth. This process is called demineralization.
The minerals in your saliva, such as calcium and phosphate, in addition to fluoride from toothpaste and water, help the enamel repair itself by replacing minerals lost during an "acid attack." This helps strengthen your teeth.
However, the repeated cycle of acid attacks causes mineral loss in the enamel. Over time, this weakens and destroys the enamel, forming a cavity. A cavity is a hole in the tooth caused by tooth decay. It's the result of harmful bacteria digesting the sugar in foods and producing acids.
What Parents Can Do
• Begin using toothpaste to brush your child's teeth when he/she is 2 years old.
• Young children tend to swallow toothpaste when brushing, rather than spitting it out.
• Introduce fluoride toothpaste when your child is old enough not to swallow it.
• As soon as two teeth touch each other, floss between them once a day.
• For children younger than 3 years old, use only a small amount of toothpaste, about the size of a grain of rice.
• Make sure your child eats a well-balanced diet. Limit snacks that are sticky and high in sugars, such as chips, candy, cookies, and cake.
• If your child uses a bottle at bedtime, only put water in it because if the milk stays overnight in mouth it leads to rotting of the teeth.
• Consumption of vegetable and fruits are good for teeth health.
What are the symptoms of tooth decay in a child?
The following is a common way that teeth develop decay and cavities. But decay may be a bit different for each child.
• White spots begin to form on the teeth in areas affected. These 
spots mean that the enamel is starting to break down.
They may lead to early sensitivity in the teeth.
• An early cavity appears on the tooth. It has a light brown color. 
• The cavity becomes deeper. It turns a darker shade of brown to black. 
• The symptoms of tooth decay and cavities vary from child to child. Cavities don’t always cause symptoms.
Sometimes children don’t know they have one until their dentist finds it.
Your child may feel:
• Pain in the area around the tooth
• Sensitivity to certain foods, such as sweets and hot or cold drinks
How is tooth decay treated in a child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health In most cases, treatment requires removing the decayed part of the tooth and replacing it with a filling. Fillings are materials placed in teeth to repair damage caused by tooth decay.
8. Something painful and hard to notice
Babies can be troubled by something as hard to spot as a hair wrapped tightly around a tiny toe or finger, cutting off circulation. Some babies are extra sensitive to things like scratchy clothing tags or fabric.
Your child may feel:
• Pain in the area around the tooth
• Sensitivity to certain foods, such as sweets and hot or cold drinks
How is tooth decay treated in a child?
Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health In most cases, treatment requires removing the decayed part of the tooth and replacing it with a filling. Fillings are materials placed in teeth to repair damage caused by tooth decay.
Schedule routine dental exams for your child every 6 months.