Tooth decay is a widespread issue affecting children, with multiple factors contributing to its development. Despite the best efforts to prioritize your child’s dental health, it can be disheartening to find them experiencing yet another cavity. Parents need to understand that a complex interplay of various elements contributes to dental decay, where eating chocolates/candies is not the only reason.
Key elements of dental decay:
Frequency of Brushing: Brushing is important as it is the primary way to remove the biofilm containing decay causing bacteria (mainly Streptococcus). Brushing twice daily is important because this biofilm keeps forming every time and it needs to be removed frequently.
Free Sugar intake: Dental decay develops when bacteria in the Biofilm metabolize sugars to produce acid that demineralizes the teeth. Sugar-sweetened beverages, including fruit-based and milk-based sweetened drinks, are a primary source of free sugars, as well as confectionery, cakes, biscuits, sweetened cereals, sweet desserts, sucrose, honey, syrups and preserves.
Frequency of snacking: 4-6 organized meals is the recommended frequency of food intake. The duration of eating should last between 5-20 minutes. Continuous grazing for hours will increase the risk of getting cavities. Drinking only water in between the structured meals reduces the risk of decay. The Duration and Frequency of intake of diet containing carbohydrates is more related to risk of caries than the quantity of intake.
Form of Sugar: Solid form of sugars (Candies, Lollipops etc.) takes time to dissolve in mouth causing prolonged supply of sugar on tooth. It should be completely avoided in children with preexisting cavities.
Flaws in tooth formation: There are certain developmental diseases like Deciduous Molar Hypomineralisation (DMH) and Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) which are not so infrequent. In these children the enamel formed is weak and breaks into a big cavity quickly even with satisfactory dental hygiene habits, which would rather not bring similar cavities in children who have healthy enamel.
Every child needs a dental visit at least by their first birthday. The dentist evaluates the dental status and provides you the right guidance to “Say no to childhood dental decay”.
