It’s important for a child with rotten teeth to get treated immediately to prevent dental problems. A child’s teeth are vulnerable to tooth decay because kids are usually sweet tooth. Additionally, they are not very fond of caring for their oral health. Their oral care routine must be watched closely by their parents and a trusted pediatric dentist like this kid-friendly dentist in Bondi Beach.

Why A Child With Rotten Teeth Developed Decay At First Place?

Tooth decay in children is a very common oral health problem. Primarily, a child may get rotten teeth because of the cavities that are damaging the teeth. These cavities develop due to plaque build-up that houses a lot of bacteria.

Bacteria in the mouth is commonly caused by eating sugary foods and those that are starchy. To cite examples, foods like bread, candies, cake, raisins, milk, soda, and cereals are some of the culprits that stay between the teeth despite cleaning.

When these foods get in contact with the bacteria in the mouth, they turn into acid. Acids that are combined with saliva and bacteria end up as plaque which eats the enamel away causing the teeth to decay.

Who Are At Risk

It is normal for a child to have bacteria in the mouth. As a matter of fact, all kids are susceptible to rotten teeth despite proper oral care. However, your child may be at greater risk due to the following reasons:

• Too many bacteria in the mouth.
• Excessive consumption of sweets and starchy foods.
• Lack of fluoride.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Obstructed saliva production or dry mouth.
• Snacking frequently.
• Vomiting, as a symptom of eating disorders.

What A Child With Rotten Teeth Might Experience

People often think that it’s okay for baby teeth to decay. This is due to the belief that a child’s teeth will eventually be replaced by their permanent anyways. However, neglecting to seek treatment for rotten baby teeth might  result in the following complications:

• Severe pain
• Tooth abscess
• Gum swelling
• Damaged, chipped, or broken teeth
• Problems with biting and chewing
• Teeth misalignment
• Bad breath

The complication might even get worse if cavities start to form and progress. This might cause your child total discomfort along with the following situations:

1. Interrupted daily activities due to unbearable pain.
2. Sudden drop of weight due to difficulty eating nutritious meals.
3. Tooth loss. This could have a significant impact on the eruption of their permanent teeth and cause misalignment.
4. Affected social skills. Most kids don’t feel confident enough to make friends with people because of the appearance of their teeth.
5. Poor friendly relationships. Due to bad breath, kids tend to stay away from their friends and spend most of their time alone.

Treatment For A Child With Rotten Teeth

Your child’s pediatric dentist will diagnose tooth decay by reviewing their dental records, medical history, as well as basing on dental X-rays. Even though their baby teeth are meant to fall off, that does not mean that their rotten teeth should not be treated anymore.

Resolving their dental problem as early as possible will save them from getting extensive dental works when they get older. Going to a periodontist can help to make sure that their gums are healthy.

The treatment will depend on the severity of the decay, small cavities typically get small fillings to prevent further infection. Serious decays and rotten teeth would, unfortunately, get extracted.

None Child With Rotten Teeth – Preventative Measures

To ensure that your child will not suffer the consequences of rotten teeth, it’s important to guide them in caring for their oral health. Here are some of the most important things to remember to prevent tooth decay:

Tooth Brushing

Baby teeth usually come out at the 6th month beyond. Once you see your baby with a tooth or two, start brushing their teeth. Include their tongue and gums in the routine as well. Be sure to use fluoride toothpaste to keep their teeth strong and healthy. There are several fluoride toothpastes with different flavors in the market which your child will surely enjoy. Teach them how to brush their teeth on their own as they age. Usually, by the age of 8, they should be able to do their oral care routine without supervision.

Flossing

Upon reaching the age of two, you must start flossing your child’s teeth to remove debris and food particles. They are already eating solid foods at this stage so it’s important to have their teeth thoroughly cleaned. This is also a good practice for them, as they grow old they will learn the importance of teeth cleaning because they grew up with clean and healthy teeth.

Well Balanced Meal

As a parent, it is also one of your duties to ensure that your child is eating healthy meals. One of the best ways to take care of their teeth is by providing them foods that where their overall health will benefit. You may also opt to limit your child’s consumption of foods that are high in sugar and starch.

Avoid Sharing Utensils

This is a common mistake done by a lot of parents. A child’s health is always at risk if they are sharing utensils with adults. You can prevent the sharing of the bacteria from your mouth with your child by giving them their own set of utensils. Instruct them to not just use any kind of spoon and fork for their own safety. For babies, avoid cleaning their pacifier with your mouth. Always sanitize their toys and bottles.

Feeding Bottle At Bed Time

Most kids find it hard to sleep if they are not feeding through a baby bottle. Be sure to not feed them with juice or formula that is high in sugar. These beverages could cause cavities and tooth decay.

Dental Visits

Just like adults, children need to see their dentists regularly as well. Dentists recommend for a child to see their pediatric dentist at least twice a year for a thorough dental checkup. This is a preventative measure to keep your child’s oral health in check.

Dental Cleanings

Professional dental cleanings can be done in children too. This is an important procedure to ensure that your child’s teeth are in great shape. Children as usually uncomfortable when it’s time for them to see their dentist, this can be prevented if they have been going to the dentist regularly.

If you are going to visit your child’s pediatric dentist, be sure to list down the signs and symptoms that they often encounter. The dentist will be able to diagnose their condition easily if the symptoms are well explained to him. Moreover, prepare your child for the dental checkup as well. Assure them that everything will be okay and that you will be with them all the time.

Things To Remember

In caring for a child’s oral health, it’s important that their parent or guardian are aware of the following facts about rotten teeth or tooth decay:

• Tooth decay occurs due to the weakening of enamel. This results in cavities, the very beginning of rotten teeth.
• Plaque is the main cause of tooth decay. This is a sticky substance that eats away the tooth enamel causing the teeth to get exposed to bacteria.
• The main reason why children are at risk of rotten teeth is poor dental hygiene.
• Severe cases of tooth decay must be examined by a dentist.
• In most cases, tooth extraction may be required to stop the cavities from spreading. This is a painful dental procedure that no kids would want to go through.
• A regular visit to the doctor plays a vital role in preventing rotten teeth from happening to any child.