Oral cavities are quite common in children. It is estimated that about 42% of children aged between 2 to 11 years have had dental caries in their primary teeth. The reasons, however, vary from one person to another. For instance, sugary and starchy foods become acidic and harm the tooth enamel, which results in cavity formation. If left untreated, your child might experience infection or pain.

Good dental hygiene helps to prevent oral cavities in kids. If you inspire your child to main better oral hygiene, it can readily reduce the likelihood of getting dental caries. Find out more prevention tips in this article.

Signs of Cavities in Children:

The signs and symptoms of dental cavities can vary; however, here are some most common signs that you shouldn’t ignore:

• A hole in the tooth.
• Tooth darkening.
• White spots on the tooth.
• Reactions to cold or sweet foods.
• When kids are avoiding food.
• Mouth swelling, etc.

What Causes Oral Cavities in Children?

Cavities can be caused by:

• Higher levels of bacteria in the mouth.

The high level of bacteria eats away at the structure of teeth. It does this by depleting calcium and eventually results in tooth decay or the formation of cavities. The bacteria also create plaque which disrupts the tooth enamel. Once the surface of the tooth collapses, it results in oral cavities.

• There is no fluoride in the drinking water.

Fluoride is important for healthy teeth. If your child has no fluoride in the drinking water or toothpaste, it can give rise to dental caries.

• Low saliva production.

Reduced salivary production can cause chewing, tasting, speaking, or swallowing problems. The saliva in the mouth gives protection against cavities by washing away the bad bacteria. Low saliva means more cavities.

• Certain foods.

Foods that are rich in sugar, carbohydrate, or starch content can affect your child’s diet and are one of the major reasons for tooth cavities

• Poor oral hygiene.

Children who do not establish good oral hygiene practices are at a greater risk of forming dental cavities. If your child does not brush properly, the things that he eats stick away to the surface of the teeth. It eventually changes into an acid that disrupts the tooth enamel.

Why Must Oral Cavities Be Treated?

You must treat oral cavities to avoid an infection known as tooth abscess. A tooth abscess is a pocket of pus from a bacterial infection and comes under a dental emergency. If oral cavities are left untreated, one may suffer from tooth decay and tooth loss.

Prevention Tips:

• Scheduling regular visits to the nearest dentist.
• Tooth brushing at least twice a day.
• Use dental floss daily at least once.
• Considering fluoride treatment.
• Avoiding unhealthy foods.

Final Thoughts

Oral cavities can do great harm to teeth and disrupt their functioning. However, if you help your child prevent oral cavities, they can be saved from harsh consequences. We hope that you have benefitted from the given tips and they will help your child protect his teeth.

Contact your kids’ dentist in Stockton, Sajjad Rizvi D.D.S. at Happy Kids Dental, today to learn more about oral cavities.

Resource:

Oral Care In Infants

This media/content or any other on this website does not prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. Therefore, we highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition