Is baby tooth decay as big of a deal as when older children and adults develop cavities? After all, those teeth with baby tooth cavities are just going to fall out, right? The truth is, that babies with cavities can develop serious long-term oral health issues, not to mention dangerous health risks that can put them in the hospital. Baby cavities can spread at grossly rapid rates. Fortunately, there are smart things parents can do to help reduce their infant or toddler’s risk of cavities in baby teeth.
Can Babies Get Cavities?
Any baby, infant, or toddler with teeth is at risk of getting cavities. Sadly, decay in primary or baby teeth can spread extremely quickly. As in quicker than permanent (adult) teeth. Since baby teeth aren’t as dense as their permanent counterparts are, any areas of erosion or demineralization can quickly evolve into a cavity. If that cavity isn’t treated promptly, it will spread deeper into the tooth and cause an abscess. Not to mention “jump” to adjacent teeth. Cavities are bacterial infections, so once any infant gets their first tooth, they’re at risk for tooth decay unless parents provide adequate home care.
What To Do If My Baby Has A Cavity
If you think your baby has a cavity, plan a trip to see a pediatric dentist ASAP. Unfortunately, most cavities aren’t visible until moderate to severe tooth damage has already taken place. A pediatric dentist has the training, equipment, and resources to treat your child’s tooth decay. Early treatment helps stop the infection from spreading further.
Do not assume that just because it’s a baby tooth it won’t matter. Allowing a cavity to go untreated can, unfortunately, put your child in the hospital if the infection spreads into their face and/or brain.
The earlier you take your child to a dentist for baby tooth decay, the less likely your little one will need serious dental work. Earlier treatment is best. Just keep in mind that baby tooth decay doesn’t improve on its own or stop spreading. It needs to be intercepted by a professional ASAP.
Babies with cavities may show signs of drooling, not wanting to eat, swollen gums, earaches, or overall fussiness. If your infant is chewing on their fingers or grabbing at their mouth while fussy. It could be a sign of baby tooth decay. This may be more serious than simple teething.
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Treatment for Baby Teeth Cavity
The treatment for baby tooth decay is similar to what you might expect in an adult tooth. The treatment options depend on the size and spread of the cavity. They include a filling, crown (“cap”), pulpotomy, or, in severe cases, an extraction.
Ideally, your dentist will want to intercept the cavity as early as possible. So that a small and minimally-invasive white filling can be placed. Teeth toward the back of the mouth might get a silver filling if your child has heavy saliva flow.
For cavities that take up a large percentage of the tooth. There may not be enough structure to support a filling. In that case, the dentist will clean away the damaged enamel and put a crown over the tooth.
When the tooth’s nerve is affected, a pulpotomy and crown can prevent recurring abscesses. This helps preserve the tooth until it’s closer to its natural falling-out time.
An extraction is the last option. Ideally, you want to preserve the baby tooth as long as you can. Removing it will only be recommended for therapeutic purposes if no other restorative option is available. A space maintainer will be needed afterward.
Should I Wait Until The Tooth Falls Out?
You might think, “It’s easier to pull the tooth or let it fall out since it’ll only last a few more years.” However, this can impact long-term oral health.
Waiting for the tooth to fall out will allow the cavity to worsen and spread elsewhere. It’s not a matter of “if” but “how bad.” Decay can reach the tooth’s nerve, leading to an abscess and potentially infecting the adult tooth underneath. Early treatment is crucial to prevent complications. Adjacent teeth will also become decayed.
If your child is within a few months of losing the tooth anyway, sure, an extraction may not be a big deal. Removing a tooth before its normal exfoliation cycle can disrupt your child’s oral development. This can affect the alignment and growth of other teeth.
Each baby tooth acts as a placeholder and guide for the adult tooth underneath. The permanent tooth slowly pushes the baby tooth out of place. But if the baby tooth falls out early, the teeth next to it will collapse inward and block the adult tooth; the teeth under them will also become misguided. In a matter of months, orthodontic problems begin to multiply. Even the shape of your child’s jaws and facial bones will be affected.
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
One of the most common scenarios involving a baby with cavities is a condition that we call “baby bottle tooth decay.” This disease is often triggered by frequent, high-volume use of bottles or sippy cups filled with milk, juice, or other non-water liquids. Regular exposure increases the risk.
Baby bottle tooth decay is typically a result of putting babies to bed with a bottle or sippy cup of anything other than water. OR allowing your toddler to carry one around with them throughout the day, sipping on those liquids during non-meal times.
Natural sugars in milk and juice can produce acidic byproducts that erode tooth enamel. Frequent, prolonged exposure throughout the day accelerates this process. In most cases, baby bottle tooth decay is visible along the infant’s upper front teeth. White or brown spotting is usually visible first, followed by physical signs of openings (decay) in the outer layer of your baby’s tooth enamel.
Preventing Baby Cavities
Good oral hygiene habits should start early. Before your baby has any teeth, use a soft washcloth over your finger or a training toothbrush to gently clean their mouth after feedings or at least twice a day. Especially just before bedtime. Ideally, you don’t want your infant or toddler to go to sleep with milk on their teeth.
As soon as your baby gets their first tooth, plan to brush their teeth twice a day. The ADA recommends using a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste on baby teeth for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount for children ages 3 and over.
Parents, if your child insists on going to bed with or carrying a cup/bottle throughout the day, only fill it with tap water. Nutritionally, they do not need to have milk or juice between meals.
Since juice is high in natural sugars, consider watering it down and only serving it once a day with a meal. The food will help to neutralize acid production, lowering your child’s risk for decay.
Encourage toddlers to drink tap water throughout the day, as it has regulated fluoride levels for strong tooth and bone development. Commercial bottled waters are usually not regulated for mineral content.
Your pediatric dentist can also apply special fluoride to help remineralize baby teeth, reversing the decay process before a physical cavity has formed.
When Should My Baby’s First Dental Visit Be?
Finally, the most important thing you can do to encourage healthy oral development and reduce the risk of baby tooth decay is to take your child to a pediatric dentist before their 1st birthday. Pediatricians and pediatric dentists recommend that every child see a dentist for an exam as soon as the first tooth appears, or no later than 1 year of age.
These early dental visits are primarily preventative and educational in nature. They allow your pediatric dentist to screen for concerns while they’re small. Parents and caregivers will also gain important knowledge as it relates to their child’s home care, preventative techniques, and concerns that need to be addressed.
While some general dentists see preschoolers, most family dental practices recommend taking your baby to a pediatric dentist. Pedodontists are experts when it comes to treating baby tooth decay, behavioral management, and the unique needs that a small mouth requires during care.
If you’ve waited until your child is past 1 year old to call a dentist, it’s never too late to get started. The most important thing to remember is that cavities can be prevented, so you ideally want to schedule your child’s dental exam as early as possible (and every six months thereafter.)
Also Read: Parents Guide for Teething Fever: How Long Does It Last & Treatments
Early Childhood Caries Recap
Baby tooth decay is one of the most common childhood illnesses to impact infants and toddlers. Fortunately, it can be prevented with good dietary practices and brushing your baby’s teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste. But if you think your infant or toddler has a baby cavity, you need to bring them to a pediatric dentist as quickly as possible. Treating a small cavity early prevents abscesses, protects the adult tooth underneath, and stops infection from spreading to adjacent teeth. Early care is essential for oral health. Most importantly, it will help keep your child out of pain and the hospital. Pediatric dentists are the best providers for treating baby tooth decay. A family dentist can screen your baby, but they might refer you to a pediatric specialist for treatment. Pediatric specialists are better equipped for infants and toddlers’ dental needs. Pediatric specialists focus on infants’ and toddlers’ dental care. Eliminating a baby cavity early supports healthier oral development, proper tooth alignment, and clear speech. It also boosts your child’s self-confidence as they grow.
