Can anyone suggest Toddler tooth decay treatment?

(October 19, 2012)

How to prevent tooth decay in children?

Tooth decay is quite rampant in toddlers, attributed to unhealthy feeding habits. If the toddlers are being fed frequently or are being put to sleep with a milk bottle in the mouth, it causes accumulation of bacteria, leading to dental decay. Some of the symptoms of tooth decay in children are pitting and pocking of teeth and discoloration of the enamel. If left untreated at an early stage, it may cause cavities that can only be treated by removing the primary teeth in the frontal region.
Some of the remedies for preventing tooth decay in children are as under:

First of all, you must set feeding timings for your toddlers. They should not be fed at random intervals as this leads to tooth decay.
You should never put your baby for nap or to sleep with a bottle in the mouth, as prolonged feeding spans affect the dental health adversely.
You should wipe the gums of your toddler with a wet cloth so as to prevent accumulation of bacteria in the mouth.
As soon as the toddler starts teething, you must starting brushing the teeth with a soft toothbrush.
You must also consult a pediatric dentist for treatment of tooth decay in children as they are familiar with a variety of dental diseases in children.

Submitted by J on October 19, 2012 at 12:43

What are the symptoms and treatment for baby bottle tooth decay?

One of the prime causes of tooth decay in babies is excessive and injudicious use of a milk bottle. Most parents put their babies to sleep with a milk bottle in their mouth, which keeps the baby pacified and eases him/her to fall asleep. However, this causes sugar to accumulate in the mouth of the baby, which nourishes the bacteria, which, in turn, secretes acids that lead to cavities.
The symptoms of baby bottle tooth decay include discoloration of teeth and pocking and pitting of teeth. Other symptoms include pain and irritation in gums, making it difficult to chew food.

Here are some of the preventive measures for tooth decay in babies:

First and foremost, you must not put your baby to sleep with bottle in the mouth. This would prevent the accumulation of bacteria, thereby inhibiting dental problems in babies.
You should not feed your baby frequently. Rather, set up fixed feeding times.
Wipe the gums of your toddler with a wet cloth after every meal for general dental hygiene.
You must start brushing the teeth of your toddler on teething with a soft tooth brush and mild tooth paste.
You may also consult a dentist for treatment of baby bottle tooth decay.

Submitted by N on April 4, 2012 at 07:08

What are the signs of tooth decay in toddlers?

Tooth decay is caused by unhealthy and inappropriate feeding habits in toddlers. When toddlers are being put to sleep with a milk bottle in their mouth, it leads to accumulation of harmful bacteria in mouth, which leads to dental decay. The early signs of tooth decay in toddlers include discoloration of enamel and pocked and pitted teeth. If left unattended, it could cause dental cavities, which might require pulling out of all the frontal teeth, till permanent teeth appear. If you notice signs of tooth decay in your toddler, here are some measures you can take to prevent further tooth decay.

First and foremost, you must not let your toddler sleep with a milk bottle in the mouth. It may be convenient for the infant, but might lead to grave consequences on its dental health.
You must wipe the gums of your toddler with a wet cloth after feeding so as to prevent the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth.
You must set feeding times for your toddler as frequent feeding also causes tooth decay.
You must consult a pediatric dentist when your child is one year old, even before the teeth of your toddler are visible. This is because your toddler starts by the age of six months, and as such, it needs proper dental care right from a young age.

Submitted by P T on March 13, 2012 at 04:12

How to stop tooth decay in infants?

Tooth decay is commonplace among the infants, which is attributed to unhealthy feeding habits. When babies are put to sleep with milk bottles and are being fed frequently, the sugar in the milk accumulates in the mouth. Infants do have bacteria in mouth, which derive nourishment from the sugar, produce acids, and cause cavities. The symptoms of tooth decay in infants include discoloration of enamel, pain in gums, and pocking and pitting of teeth.

Some of the ways to prevent and treat tooth decay in infants are as below:

Avoid putting a bottle or any pacifier dipped in a sweet liquid in your baby’s mouth when putting him/her to sleep. This will facilitate bacterial sustainability and growth in the mouth.
You must set feeding times for your infant rather than feeding it multiple times at random intervals.
You must keep a check on oral hygiene of your infant. You must wipe the gums of the infant with a wet cloth after every meal to as to prevent bacterial growth.
You must brush your teeth with the emergence of primary teeth. You may use a soft tooth brush and fluoride based tooth paste.
Also, for infant tooth decay treatment, you must consult a pediatric dentist who would be able to advice you on the various dental problems and treatment options.

Submitted by N on September 26, 2011 at 05:24

Treatment For Tooth Decay In Toddlers

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavity, is a disease where the bacteria in the mouth damage the hard structure of the enamel of your teeth—dentin and cementum. The two types of bacteria that cause tooth decay are streptococcus and lactobacillus. Though tooth decay is often known to affect adults, it also attacks toddlers.

Tooth decay is often found in the fissures and pits caused by acid producing bacteria that combine with fermentable carbohydrates like fructose, glucose, and sucrose that are present in the mouth. The minerals in the teeth are sensitive to any increase in acidity caused due to lactic acid.

Caries, or tooth decay in children, cannot be left untreated as it may affect the teeth as they grow into adults. If it persists it can cause infection, abscesses, pain, malnutrition, gastrointestinal problems, and the child might find it difficult to develop proper speech and have low self- esteem.

It is essential to treat dental problems early because multiple cavities in toddlers will give rise to empty spaces that are not enough for adult teeth to grow in. When you first see the signs of tooth decay, it is best consult a dentist who will evaluate the condition of your child’s teeth.

What causes tooth decay in toddlers?

One of the reasons for children developing tooth decay is the feeding pattern—either bottle feeding or breast feeding.

Nursing bottle caries, commonly named Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (BBTD), is destructive. It is important that it is detected and treated early. The primary teeth appear first and the streptococcus mutans colonize faster if the mother has higher levels of s. mutans in her saliva. The substrate for s. mutans is made possible because of milk formulae, juices, or any liquids with fermentable carbohydrates.

The bacteria start thriving when fluids collect around the teeth for hours, decaying the teeth. Extensive bottle or breastfeeding during the night is very dangerous as demineralization quickens, resulting in tooth decay.

How to treat tooth decay?

The treatment for tooth decay in toddlers will depend upon the progress of caries. It is important to detect tooth decay early, so that the white spots or lines may be treated with fluoridation to remineralize the teeth. If the tooth decay is prominent, the teeth are covered with stainless steel or veneered crowns. Extractions or pulp therapy will be recommended if the decay has reached the pulp chamber.

The best method is to prevent caries in your toddler is by changing the feeding patterns. Weaning at 12 to 14 months is very important as extensive bottle or breast feeding will reduce the intake of other nutrients. Introduce the child to solid foods from six months and make him or her use a cup for drinking liquids. Oral hygiene and a healthy diet are essential to prevent tooth decay in toddlers.

Submitted by P T on June 4, 2010 at 05:46