Early Childhood Cavities
Manassas, Virginia
 A parent may think their babies might not experience tooth decay until they are significantly older. However, some children might experience early childhood cavities. These cavities are a cause of concern for parents because tooth decay in exceptionally young children can be pretty aggressive. Left untreated, it can lead to rapid deterioration of teeth and severe infections.
The pediatric dentists at Starlight Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Claire Escario and Dr. Escario, have the experience to offer a thorough pediatric dentistry consultation for your child. They will examine their teeth and offer you further guidance.
What Are Early Childhood Cavities?
Also known as early childhood caries, these cavities often develop on a child’s upper front teeth but can also impact their other teeth. They develop as hard-to-spot white spots near the gum line in children under six. As this condition worsens, the cavities will turn into brown spots and lead to holes or broken teeth. Ideally, you should bring your child to Starlight Smiles Pediatric Dentistry so that our expert child dentists can keep their tooth decay from advancing.
What Are the Causes of Early Childhood Cavities?
Here are some possible causes of early childhood cavities:
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The remnants of sugar-containing foods and liquids in the child’s mouth, leading bacteria to use the sugar to make acids that gradually destroy the teeth
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Poor oral hygiene
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The frequency of feedings
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The use of specific medications
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Medical or dental conditions |
How to Prevent Early Childhood Cavities
Here are some tips to keep your child’s mouth free of cavities:
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Not giving a bottle with juice or milk to your child while they try to sleep
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Restricting bottle use to mealtimes only
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Cleaning the baby’s gums with a cloth and water or a soft toothbrush
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Following a healthy balanced diet with limited sugary drinks and snacks
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Not giving the baby pacifiers dipped in sweetened liquids
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Teaching the child to start drinking from a glass or cup at an early age
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Early evaluation by a dentist who specializes in pediatric dentistry |
What Happens When You Don’t Get Your Child’s Cavities Treated?
When a baby’s cavities are left untreated, they can spread rapidly, leading to significant tooth decay and short and long-term issues. Your child will experience pain as the cavity works through the affected tooth. It will also lead to a worsening bacterial infection and premature tooth loss, causing long-term dental issues such as bite problems and crooked teeth. Your child might experience severe and excruciating infections in their dental pulp. If not treated promptly, these infections can spread to other body parts.
What to Expect from the Treatment of Early Childhood Cavities
At Starlight Smiles Pediatric Dentistry, proper treatment for early childhood cavities will depend on the assessment of our child dentists, Dr. Claire Escario and Dr. Escario. We can treat a minor cavity with a dental filling, but a deeper cavity might require tooth extraction or pediatric pulp therapy. We will also develop a tooth decay treatment plan that you can follow to keep your child from developing further cavities.
If you suspect your child has developed early childhood cavities, call Starlight Smiles Pediatric Dentistry at 571-833-0344 to set up an appointment. Our pediatric dentists can examine their mouth and offer you a relevant treatment plan.
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