About this topic
Tooth decay is very common. Everyone has germs in the mouth. After your child eats, there are food pieces left on the teeth. The germs combine with the food and make acid. The acid can eat away at the protective enamel of the tooth and cause tooth decay. Your child can have decay on the tooth surface or deep into the tooth. Your child may not notice any signs. If your child does, it is because the tooth is starting to decay. ‚
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What are the causes?
Foods and drinks like soda, raisins, cake, and candy all have sugars and starch in them. These combine with germs to make plaque. Plaque is a film-like coating on the teeth. If it stays on your childs teeth, it will destroy the outside protective enamel layer of the tooth. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Eating sweet or sticky foods
- Not brushing your childs teeth often enough
- Some drugs that cause a dry mouth
- Eating disorder
What are the main signs?
- Toothache
- Tooth pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet
- Gray, black, or brown color spots on the teeth
- Bad breath
- A hole in a tooth
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your dentist will look at your childs teeth. There will also be a physical check with slight poking and tapping on the teeth. Your child may need to have x-rays of the teeth to look for decay that is not visible to the eye. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- The dentist may apply a coating of fluoride to the tooth. This works best if the decay is in the earliest stage.
- The dentist may remove the decay. Your childs tooth will need a filling if the decay has eaten away the surface enamel.
- The dentist may do a root canal. This is needed when the nerve inside the tooth is infected.
- Your child may need to have the tooth pulled. This is needed if there is so much decay the tooth can't be saved.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Give your child healthy snacks. Some examples are cheese, fruit, and vegetables.
- Brush your childs teeth after every meal and floss at least once a day.
- If you can't get to a toothbrush, and your child is old enough not to swallow the gum, have them chew sugar-free gum.
- Have your child avoid drinks with sugar in them.
- Eating wheat or brown bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, leafy green vegetables, and eggs are less likely to cause decay but still need to be brushed and flossed away.
What drugs may be needed?
The dentist may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
What problems could happen?
If the tooth decay is not fixed, your child could have: ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Talk to your childs dentist about sealants that may prevent decay.
- Brush your child's teeth after every meal or at least 2 times a day. Do not rush when you brush. Spend a full 2 minutes cleaning all of their teeth. Use a toothpaste with fluoride.
- Use dental floss to clean between your child's teeth at least every day.
- Try to stay away from foods and drinks that are high in sugar and starch, such as chocolate, sweets, cakes, and fizzy drinks that contain sugar.
- Take your child to the dentist for regular cleaning and checkups.
Where can I learn more?
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/decay.aspx ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dental-decay/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚