How can you detect caries yourself? | Caries in small children

How can you detect caries yourself?

Even if the milk teeth differ in color and shape from the permanent teeth, the caries looks the same as in adults. Black dot-shaped spots on the teeth are the first signs. If nothing is done, more and more tooth substance will be broken down by the bacteria.

Over time, the shape of the tooth also changes. Sometimes even the complete tooth crown is no longer preserved. The decomposed tooth substance is then soft.

The bacterial decomposition of the hard tooth substance and the food remains in the mouth often leads to a rotten-sweetish bad breath. The caries is to be differentiated from simple discolorations. These appear as brownish stains on the tooth enamel, which can sometimes be removed by brushing.In more stubborn cases, professional teeth cleaning can help to restore the teeth to a brilliant white. and bad breath in small children

How to stop tooth decay in a toddler?

Even in toddlers a caries can be removed and the area can be filled with a filling. In this way the caries is stopped and already existing damages are treated. Further prevention can be achieved by regular fluoridation of the teeth.

The fluoride strengthens the teeth and makes them less vulnerable to bacteria. Many doctors recommend fluoride tablets for children. Adequate oral hygiene, regular visits to the dentist and a balanced diet are the basis for a healthy child’s mouth. However, treatment is sometimes much more difficult than in adults. This is because the little ones are very excited, do not want to open their mouths or start crying quickly, which makes the work much more difficult.

Caries on the incisor

Especially with small children it happens very often that the entire upper milk incisors are affected by caries. This phenomenon is called ECC (Early Childhood Caries) or “Nursing-Bottle-Syndrome” (teat bottle caries). It occurs when sugar-containing drinks and sweetened teas are administered through the drinking bottle very often or especially at night.

The danger of caries is so high there because the liquids have a long exposure time. So the bacteria can work very well. The lower teeth are protected by the tongue and are therefore often still in good condition.