Every year, countless toddlers suffer from the painful effects of cavities, a problem often overlooked until it’s too late. These cavities not only cause discomfort but can also lead to more serious health issues. The good news is that dental cavities in toddlers are preventable with the right care and attention.
Read on to learn how to cure baby tooth cavities before they cause more damage and what symptoms to look out for in your child.
What are Dental Cavities and What are their Main Causes?
The damaged regions on the hard surface(enamel) of your teeth are called cavities. Damage to the enamel results in the formation of cavities. The following are the main causes of dental cavities in toddlers:
- Inadequate Brushing: Sugars can remain on teeth and become acid if you don’t clean them frequently. Regardless of size, teeth can be attacked by acids for up to 20 minutes following a snack or meal.
- Poor Dietary Habits: Eating often throughout the day or consuming a lot of sweet food can erode tooth enamel by causing acid to accumulate on teeth.
- Use of Feeders: Cavities may occur in toddlers who use bottles as pacifiers, sip juice from bottles, or go to sleep with bottles.
- Genetics: Certain children may be genetically predisposed to cavities.
Cavities are mostly caused by poor oral hygiene and a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Saliva, meals, acids, and bacteria can all lead to cavities. Foods like candy, soda, cake, drinks, milk, cereals, and other items high in sugar and starch turn acidic due to germs in your child’s mouth.
Bacteria consume carbohydrates and sugar to develop into plaque, which damages your child’s teeth.
Additionally, plaque turns into tartar on teeth over time, which is considerably harder to get rid of. Young infants are more susceptible to tooth decay because their baby teeth have a thinner enamel covering than adult teeth.
What Does a Dental Cavity Look Like in Toddlers?
In toddlers, cavities often appear as small, discoloured spots or holes in the teeth. Initially, you might notice white, chalky areas on the surface of the teeth, which indicate the early stages of decay. As the cavity progresses, these spots can turn yellow, brown, or black, becoming more visible. The affected areas may also look pitted or rough. If left untreated, cavities can cause the tooth to crumble or form visible holes, leading to pain and sensitivity, especially when eating or drinking. Untreated cavities can worsen and require extensive dental work to restore the affected tooth or teeth. Regular dental check-ups are essential to catch and treat cavities early, ensuring your toddler’s teeth stay healthy and strong.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Cavities in Children
Your child might not even show symptoms of tooth decay. Watch out for the following symptoms:
- Teeth with white patches, a very early indicator of deterioration
- Toothache or discomfort
- Pale brown discoloration
- Toot Sensitivity (hot/cold food)
Additional signs and symptoms
A cavity’s hue may shift from light brown to dark brown or even black as it grows. Your child may show other symptoms that are not always as evident in addition to physical symptoms or pain. While each child’s signs and symptoms of cavities may vary, frequent indications include:
- Eating or chewing difficulties
- Struggle to gain weight
- Teeth discolouration dots on the tooth, either white or dark
- Persistent odour in the mouth
- Intolerance for hot, cold, or sugary foods and beverages
- Mouth oedema
- Pain during eating, biting, or tooth cleaning
The symptoms of tooth decay and cavities are usually the same in children of all ages. Your child may have pain and suffering due to decayed baby teeth. Therefore, it’s important to get treatment as soon as you encounter any of the following symptoms:
- Elevated discomfort or edema
- Fever and other infection-related symptoms
- Pus leaking from the tooth
Life-threatening infections and long-term consequences can result from untreated cavities and tooth decay. Fever, discomfort, tooth abscess, and face edema are all indicators of infection. If you have concerns about infection, get in touch with your child’s pediatrician or dentist. Make it a practice to check your toddler’s teeth while you clean them. In this manner, you can identify alterations and discuss them with a dentist if you have any concerns.
How to Treat Dental Cavities In Toddlers
There are several options available when it comes to treating cavities in baby teeth. Your toddler or child’s treatment plan will depend on how severe the cavity is. A simple dental filling can be enough to save the tooth if the cavity is tiny. But if the cavity has really damaged the tooth, you might need a crown or perhaps an extraction.
Ø Dental Fillings
Mostly, your toddler’s cavities can be treated with dental fillings. You can fully explain to your child what to expect if you’ve ever had a filling.
The course of treatment entails just one office visit. A dentist might, however, agree to divide up the appointments if your child has multiple cavities.
To place a filling, the decayed area of your child’s tooth must be removed by drilling a hole. After that, the hole is filled with a composite resin that matches the color of the teeth to fill the cavity.
An oral injection is given prior to a filling to reduce discomfort. You can ask your dentist about sedation dentistry if you believe your child might struggle to receive a filling.
There are other forms of sedation, such as “laughing gas,” or nitrous oxide.
Ø DENTAL CROWN
A dental filling might not be sufficient to save the baby or permanent tooth if the damage is extensive.
If so, your youngster might need a dental crown, which completely encloses the tooth.
Similar to filling preparation, the dentist numbs the tooth and eliminates cavities to prepare it for a crown. To fit the crown, the tooth must also be shaped, though. After that, a crown that mimics the original tooth’s shape can be inserted and fastened.
Ø EXTRACTION
In severe cases of tooth decay, a tooth extraction may be necessary. This is a last resort, particularly for baby teeth, as early tooth loss can lead to speech, chewing, and permanent tooth development issues.
A permanent tooth extraction will probably require general anaesthesia, although the extraction of a baby tooth usually only needs a topical anaesthetic.
Compared to fillings or crowns, tooth extraction procedures, and rehabilitation are more uncomfortable.
3 Easy Ways to Treat Dental Cavities at Home
Regretfully, a cavity cannot be healed by itself. There are a few things you may do at home to assist in relieving a toothache if you cannot see your child’s dentist right away.
These are only short-term solutions to reduce cavity pain; a dental examination should be scheduled as soon as feasible.
1. Use Clove Extract
Eugenol is a potent component found in clove oil. It is applied on toothaches as well.
Use a teaspoon of carrier oil, such as coconut or olive oil, to dilute a few drops of clove oil. To treat the affected area, soak a cotton ball in this solution and apply it there.
2. Use of Saltwater
Saltwater may offer some antimicrobial defence. One teaspoon of salt should dissolve in one-quarter cup of hot water. After that, you can add cold water to change the temperature (make sure it’s comfortable for your child to use it first) and give them instructions to swish it around in their mouth.
3. Apply a cold compress
A cool compress/ice pack might help relieve pain and reduce inflammation if your child’s face is swollen.
To prevent frostbite, place a dry cloth between your child’s face and the cold pack. An equally damp paper towel would work as well.
Final Thoughts
Dental cavities in toddlers are a preventable but often overlooked issue that can have significant impacts on a child’s health and well-being. By fostering good oral hygiene habits early, such as regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, reducing sugary snacks and drinks, and ensuring regular dental check-ups, parents can protect their toddlers from the pain and complications associated with cavities. Prioritizing dental care not only preserves your child’s bright smile but also sets the foundation for a lifetime of healthy oral habits.
FAQ’S
How common are cavities in toddlers?
Cavities are quite common in toddlers, with about 28% of children aged 2-5 having experienced tooth decay.
Is it normal for toddlers to get cavities?
While it’s not uncommon, it’s not considered normal; cavities indicate that oral hygiene practices need improvement.
How do you treat a cavity in a toddler?
Treatment typically involves removing the decayed part of the tooth and filling it with a dental material to restore its function and prevent further decay.
Should a 2-year-old get cavities filled?
Young children should get cavities filled to prevent pain, infection, and damage to their developing teeth.
Is it my fault my kid has cavities?
Cavities can result from multiple factors, including diet and oral hygiene habits; while parental influence is significant, it’s not solely your fault.