Early childhood caries
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Early childhood caries is a syndrome characterized by severe decay in the teeth of infants or young children.
[edit] Causes of Early Childhood Caries
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says that frequent consumption of liquids containing fermentable carbohydrates (e.g., juice, milk, formula, soda) increases the risk of dental caries due to prolonged contact between sugars in the liquid and cariogenic bacteria on the teeth. Poor feeding practices without appropriate preventive measures can lead to a distinctive pattern of caries in susceptible infants and toddlers commonly known as baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD), a form of severe early childhood caries (ECC). Frequent bottle feeding at night, breast-feeding on demand, and extended and repetitive use of a no-spill training cup are associated with ECC. Children experiencing caries as infants or toddlers have a much greater probability of subsequent caries in primary and permanent teeth.
According to the American Dental Association, "As soon as a baby's first teeth appear—usually by age six months or so—the child is susceptible to decay. This condition is often referred to as Baby Bottle Tooth Decay or Early Childhood Caries (cavities). In some unfortunate cases, infants and toddlers have experienced severe tooth decay that has resulted in dental restorations or extractions. The good news is that decay is preventable.
"Decay occurs when sweetened liquids are given and are left clinging to an infant's teeth for long periods. Many sweet liquids cause problems, including milk, formula and fruit juice. Bacteria in the mouth use these sugars as food. They then produce acids that attack the teeth. Each time your child drinks these liquids, acids attack for 20 minutes or longer. After many attacks, the teeth can decay."
The ADA adds, "It's not just what you put in your child's bottle that causes decay, but how often — and for how long a time. Giving your child a bottle of sweetened liquid many times a day isn't a good idea. Allowing your child to fall asleep with a bottle during naps or at night can also harm the child's teeth."
The primary culprit for EEC is a group of bacteria called streptococcus mutans. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, in their Clinical Guideline for Infant Oral Healthcare, advises that "Caries results from an overgrowth of specific organisms that are part of normally occurring human oral flora. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus species are considered to be principal indicator organisms of those bacteria responsible for caries. Human oral flora is site specific, and an infant is not colonized with normal oral flora until the eruption of the primary dentition at approximately 6 to 30 months of age. The vertical colonization of S. mutans from mother to infant is well documented."
[edit] Care & Treatment
One effective way to avoid early childhood caries is by killing these bacteria. A natural substance call xylitol, made from the bark of certain trees, but also occurring naturally in prunes and other healthy foods, has been shown in many clinical trials to cause strep mutans to effectively starve to death, leaving a healthy mouth. Xylitol, which is a generic name, can be administered to a teething infant's or toddler's teeth and gums on a disposable wipe.
Physicians and dentists recommend that babies’ and toddlers’ teeth and gums be cleaned after every feeding or meal. Start teething children on a lifetime of good oral health habits by cleaning their emerging teeth and gums with xylitol-treated wipes to kill the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Older children should brush after every meal. Use toothpaste, tooth powder or tooth herbs, sea salt with natural baking soda, or a combination of all three to brush your child’s teeth. Herbal mouthwashes or herbal gum treatments can be helpful, provided they are not swallowed.
[edit] External links
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association ADA page on early childhood tooth decay
