|
|
 |
| | | |
|
-
-
Cavities, or "holes in the teeth" are caused by a disease called dental caries. This is one of the most common bacterial infections in children and is caused by a group of germs known as streptococcus mutans. Once teeth begin to erupt, children can get "strep mutans" from contact with parents or caregivers. In our society, with kissing our toddlers, tasting or sharing their foods, etc., it is impossible not to pass "strep mutans" to our children if it is present in our saliva. Whether this germ does or does not attack the teeth depends on heredity. For many children, the immune system produces antibodies which adequately block the "strep mutans" from attacking the teeth. For these children, disease (decay) may not develop even if brushing/flossing the teeth is not ideal. Generally however, if mom or dad have or had significant decay and pass not just the germ but their lack of immunity to "strep mutans" to the child, then the child will be equally "cavity prone".
Germs feed on fermentable carbohydrates or sugar in any form. Decay in children with strep mutans will be related to how many times a day the teeth are exposed to fermentable carbohydrates or sugar. Almost all foods unless marked "sugar-free" contain sugar. This includes fruits, breads, milk, juices, and vegetables, in addition to candies, cookies, etc. It's not how much sugar you eat; it's how many times per day you feed the germs. When fed even small amounts of diluted sugar-containing foods or drinks, the germs produce acid on the tooth surface. The more minutes the acid burns into the tooth surface, the more destruction or decay occurs. The result is what we call "cavities".
|
| | | |
-
-
Once "strep mutans" is in the saliva, it does not go away. We can however control the germs and protect the teeth using three weapons. First, teeth must be cleaned by proper brushing and flossing to remove the germ build-up of "strep mutans" known as plaque. Proper brushing for children is best accomplished by an adult using a certain method and brush type. Perfectly clean teeth don't decay. Second, we bolster the immune system and strengthen the enamel, even enamel weakened by acid, by using a special stannous fluoride brush-on paste. Finally, we ask parents to limit children to five sugar exposures per day (3 meals, 2 snacks). The only limitation on foods is "sticky foods". The rule is "if you don't want it in your hair, don't put it in your mouth."
In our office a specific program of oral hygiene (brushing/flossing), use of fluoride pastes (not pills), diet restrictions, and for older children, use of fluoride mouthwash type rinses, etc. is individualized for each child based on the dental history of the parents and/or caregivers, disease present, current hygiene etc. We will be most happy to develop such a program for your child at an initial appointment.
Why Fix Baby Teeth
If disease (decay) is already present, realize that this disease is contagious from one area of the mouth to the next. All active decay must be appropriately controlled/treated or no prevention program will succeed. Decay in the baby or primary teeth will eventually show up in the permanent teeth. Baby or primary teeth are needed to serve as a foundation or guide for the permanent teeth. They help develop proper muscle balance, proper chewing, etc. If the permanent teeth do not have the baby teeth for this guidance, significant malocclusion, requiring extensive use of braces, will usually result.
|
| | | |
|
|
|
