Dental caries is a long-term infectious disease brought on by bacteria that convert sugar into acids, which gradually destroy teeth. Early childhood caries is defined as any child under the age of six who has at least one cavity, a missing tooth from dental caries, or a filling on any baby tooth. This can be painful and can harm a child’s oral health.
There are several risk factors that result in dental caries, but it breaks down to one’s oral hygiene:
- Poor brushing and flossing habits that form bacteria.
- Sugary foods and drinks.
- Inappropriate use of the baby bottles like filling bottles with fruit juice or soft drink. When a bottle is sucked slowly the sugar lingers in the mouth.
Some habits to keep to prevent this :
- Help children brush their teeth.
- Do not dip pacifiers into sugar syrups.
- Ensure a balanced diet when it comes to sugar.
- Train to drink from a cup as early as possible.
- Avoid sleeping with a bottle in their mouth.
It is always best to visit your child’s dentist once they are six months old and attend all scheduled appointments consistently. If you would like to schedule an appointment for your child, please call Scarborough’s dental team at 416-546-5599. We are located in Scarborough, Toronto, Ontario, at Markham and Ellesmere. Your child’s smile will thank you!