Why Treating Childhood Cavities is Important & How to Prevent Them

In this blog, we will discuss why kids get cavities, the importance of treating cavities in baby teeth, the consequences of neglecting baby teeth, and essential homecare practices to prevent childhood cavities. Let’s dive into this crucial topic to help ensure your child’s smile remains healthy and bright.

Why Do Kids Get Cavities?

Cavities (also known as dental caries) are caused by the breakdown of tooth enamel due to acid-producing bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria thrive on sugars and starches found in the food and drinks children consume. When bacteria digest these sugars, they produce acids that erode the enamel, leading to cavities. Here are some key reasons why kids are particularly susceptible to cavities:

Diet & Eating Habits

Frequent Snacking

Children often snack multiple times a day. Frequent consumption of sugary or starchy foods provides a constant supply of food for cavity-causing bacteria. Pretzels and goldfish crackers are a known culprit to cause cavities because the starches break down to sugars and get stuck in the grooves of teeth.

Sugary Drinks

Many children consume sugary drinks such as juice, soda, and sports drinks, which significantly increase the risk of cavities.

A huge issue when it comes to snacking and drinking is Prolonged Exposure. Dr. Marion tells his patients it’s better for their mouths and teeth if they chug a sugary drink quickly than take sips over an hour or so. To better explain from a scientific standpoint – when you consume sugary drinks or snacks, the sugar in the drink interacts with the bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria metabolize the sugar, producing acids as a byproduct. The acids produced by the bacteria start eroding the enamel, which is your teeth’s hard, protective outer layer.

Each sip exposes your teeth to another acid attack, increasing the risk of enamel erosion. The pH level in your mouth drops with each sip, creating an acidic environment. It takes about 20 minutes for the pH level to return to normal after consuming a sugary drink. So, if you continuously sip, your mouth remains in an acidic state for this prolonged period.

Frequent sugar exposure promotes the formation of plaque, a sticky film of bacteria on your teeth. The bacteria in plaque continue to produce acid as long as there is sugar present. The ongoing acid attacks lead to the loss of minerals from the enamel, weakening it. Over time, this process can create holes in the enamel, known as cavities.

Adjustments You Can Make

Switching to just water and milk is ideal. If your child loves juice, try cutting it with some water. If your child is used to having a bottle in their bed, only fill it with water. The reason for this is during sleep, saliva production decreases. Saliva helps neutralize acids and wash away food particles. With less saliva, the sugars and acids remain on the teeth longer, increasing the risk of cavities. If you are unable to brush after eating or consuming a sugary drink, having your child rinse their mouth out with water is a great, easy option!

Oral Hygiene Practices

Inadequate Brushing & Flossing

Young children do not have the motor skills to brush and floss effectively. Without proper adult supervision and assistance, they typically miss cleaning critical areas in their mouth. At Marion Smile Center, we advise parents to assist their children in brushing their teeth until they’re 7-8 years old. Let your child brush their teeth themselves to gain independence. Then, (most importantly before bed) you brush their teeth to make sure that no spots were missed, most commonly along the gumlines and around their molars in back of their mouths. Brushing at least two (2) times daily and flossing once  a day, preferably at bedtime is best practices.

Irregular Dental Visits

Skipping regular dental check-ups can lead to undetected cavities and delayed treatment. Cavities spread from one tooth to the adjacent tooth. So, eliminating the decay before it spreads will help prevent the cavity from spreading.

When to Visit Dentist

Around the age of 2, Marion Smile Center recommends children come with their parents to a professional cleaning appointment, where they can have a chair ride and have fun in the playroom, get acquainted Dr. Marion! As the father of two children himself, he enjoys interacting with are pediatric patients. At the end of your child’s dental visit, they receive a toy and lots of compliments. We have children’s books on visiting the dentist in our playroom and parents are encouraged to make the dentist visit fun and exciting. Many of our littlest patients are ecstatic to come to our office.

Around 2-3 years of age, we recommend that children come and get a professional cleaning every 6 months by one of our highly trained dental hygienists. They too are parents of children! If your child has braces, it is recommended that they come every 3-4 months for a professional dental cleaning since brackets and wire bands are more difficult for children to clean around and can be more cavity-prone.

Tooth Structure & Development

Developmental Grooves & Pits

Children’s teeth often have deeper grooves and pits than adult teeth, making them more challenging to clean and more susceptible to childhood cavities.

Newly Erupted Teeth

Newly erupted teeth have not fully matured and are more vulnerable to decay.

Dental sealants (a thin plastic coating applied to the surface of teeth) are a great form of preventative care and are recommended because they provide a highly effective barrier against childhood cavities, particularly on the molars and premolars where food particles and bacteria tend to accumulate in the grooves and pits. This quick, painless, and non-invasive procedure performed by a dental professional significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay, ensuring long-term dental health during the crucial developmental years. By supplementing regular brushing and flossing, sealants help maintain a cavity-free smile, making them a cost-effective preventive measure for children’s oral care.

Lack of Fluoride

Inadequate Fluoride Exposure

Fluoride helps to strengthen and remineralize enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks from bacteria and sugars, significantly reducing the risk of tooth decay in growing children. Children who do not receive adequate fluoride through water, toothpaste, or professional treatments are at higher risk for cavities.

Fluoride Benefits

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), fluoride in water and dental products like toothpaste and mouth rinses can reduce the incidence of tooth decay in children by as much as 40%. Children should supplement with fluoride toothpaste, fluoride supplements if it’s not present in their drinking water, and receive fluoride varnish at the dentist every six (6) months to strengthen their tooth enamel and prevent childhood cavities.

Consequences of Neglecting Baby Teeth

Many parents wonder why it is necessary to treat cavities in baby teeth, given that they will eventually fall out. However, treating cavities in baby teeth is crucial for several reasons:

• Pain, Discomfort & Infection: Cavities can cause significant pain and discomfort in children. Untreated cavities can spread and infect other teeth, lead to toothaches, infections, and abscesses, affecting a child’s ability to eat, sleep, and concentrate. Infections can spread to other parts of the body as well, posing serious health risks.

• Impact on School Attendance: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that dental problems cause children to miss more than 51 million school hours each year.

• Improper Nutrition: Healthy teeth are essential for chewing and proper nutrition. Pain from cavities or loss of baby teeth can make it difficult for children to chew properly and eat a balanced diet, impacting their overall health and development.

• Speech Development: Baby teeth play a critical role in speech development. Missing or damaged teeth can affect a child’s ability to pronounce words correctly, leading to speech problems and affecting their ability to communicate effectively.

• Guiding Permanent Teeth: Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth. If cavities are not treated and baby teeth have to be extracted prematurely, the alignment and spacing of permanent teeth can be affected. Premature loss of baby teeth can lead to space loss and crowding of permanent teeth, resulting in the need for braces or other orthodontic interventions later in life.

• Self-Esteem & Social Interaction: Dental issues can affect a child’s self-esteem and social interactions. Children with visible cavities or missing teeth may feel self-conscious about their appearance.

Essential Practices to Prevent Childhood Cavities

Preventing cavities in children involves a combination of good homecare practices and regular dental visits. Here are some essential tips to keep your child’s teeth healthy:

Proper Brushing and Flossing

1. • Supervised Brushing: Ensure your child brushes their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Supervise their brushing until they can do it effectively on their own, usually around age 7 or 8.
2. • Flossing: Teach your child to floss daily to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth where a toothbrush cannot reach.

Healthy Diet

1. • Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks: Reduce the intake of sugary snacks and drinks. Encourage drinking water as an alternative and eating healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products.
2. • Balanced Meals: Provide balanced meals that include a variety of nutrients essential for healthy teeth and gums.

Fluoride and Sealants

1. • Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to decay. Your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments during regular check-ups.
2. • Dental Sealants: Sealants are protective plastic coatings applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. They help prevent cavities by sealing out food and bacteria.

Regular Dental Visits

• • Exams & Professional Dental Cleanings Every Six Months: Schedule a professional cleaning and exam every six (6) months. Regular visits allow Dr. Marion to monitor your child’s dental health, provide professional cleanings, and catch cavities early when they are easier and less invasive to treat. Besides examining your child’s teeth for cavities, Dr. Marion will assess if orthodontic treatment may be needed and advise you, if applicable, when to schedule a possible orthodontic consultation.

Pediatric Dentistry in Zelienople, PA

Caring for your child’s teeth is vital for their overall health and well-being. By understanding why childhood cavities occur, the importance of treating them, and the consequences of neglecting baby teeth, you can take proactive steps to ensure your child maintains a healthy smile. Implementing good homecare practices and visiting Marion Smile Center every six (6) months for professional cleanings and exams will help prevent cavities and keep your child’s teeth strong and healthy. Contact our friendly, award-winning team today to reserve time for your family’s next dental appointment by calling 724.452.4300 or click here to request an appointment. Let’s work together to make dental health a priority for our children, ensuring they grow up with confident, beautiful smiles.

To learn more about family and pediatric dentistry in Western, PA, click here.