Molar tooth decay
Caries develops on the molars, especially if the teeth are not brushed well or long enough. It is often very difficult to brush the posterior teeth, because the little ones do not want to open their mouth wide or long enough. They quickly start to whine. Forms of early childhood caries should be treated urgently so that the milk teeth are preserved for a long time. If they fall out prematurely, mineralization disorders can develop in the permanent teeth.
Caries and lactation
The development of caries during breastfeeding is a controversial issue. Dentists are of the opinion that the sugar in breast milk promotes caries. This is a warning against frequent breastfeeding after teeth eruption.
Especially in the evening after brushing teeth, breastfeeding should not be continued, as saliva is produced less during the sleeping phase and thus a reduced buffer function exists. However, other research has come to the conclusion that breastfeeding has neither a positive nor a negative influence on dental health. They assume that especially sucking on bottles of sugary drinks is responsible for early caries development, and not breast milk. It is assumed that the swallowing process during breastfeeding is different and that the nipple reaches much further into the mouth, so that the teeth, in contrast to sucking, are not permanently washed around with breast milk.
Prophylaxis/Prevention
As mentioned above, it is very important that children brush their teeth regularly. This should be taught and controlled by the parents, because, especially in the evening, children like to neglect brushing their teeth. It is important to set a good example and show the children that you brush your teeth regularly.
A common tooth brushing ritual can be a good idea. In general, it is helpful to teach children to brush their teeth in a playful way. A toothbrushing song, a hand puppet that explains how to brush your teeth, or the common
Caries despite brushing teeth
If tooth decay occurs in small children despite regular brushing, it is usually due to the fact that bacteria are still present in the oral cavity. It occurs when the teeth have not been brushed properly and plaque is still present in some areas. But even if children’s teeth are not brushed often enough or the bacteria have a long exposure time, caries develops quickly. Therefore, the teeth should be brushed about half an hour after each meal and sugary snacks or drinks should be avoided.
