Many parents consider cavities in baby teeth as a normal occurring once their child stops consuming milk, and that the issue will quickly go away. However, that isn’t often the case.
Dentists suggest that baby cavities should be taken seriously. Neglecting your child’s oral care may lead to serious oral issues and medical disturbances in your child’s body. Not only will this harm the teeth themselves, but it will also cause oral infections, eating disorders, and other ENT problems.
In the following section, we’ll discuss how you can prevent further damage to your baby`s oral health. Keep on reading to find out more.
Tooth decay explained
In a nutshell, tooth decay is an acid reaction inside the mouth that impacts the enamel layer over the teeth, leading to cavities. These cavities are holes in teeth, which appear as black marks. Food particles and germs can get in the holes and worsen the oral health.
It’s important to know that several factors can cause tooth decay. These include using sweet products excessively, lacking florid, sleeping with a baby bottle, overusing a pacifier, exchanging of saliva, and many more. Generally, parents pay less attention to the oral health of their babies, especially in infant age. They tend to forget to clean the baby’s mouth regularly.
Why it is harmful
Taking your baby’s oral health for granted can be harmful to their overall health and development. Here are several common impacts of baby cavities and poor oral hygiene.
- Tooth decay can be associated with other digestive issues. As the mouth is connected to the body, bacteria and germs can get into the baby’s mouth with poor oral hygiene.
- Tooth decay may cause a sensation, whether it’s prickling in gums or pain in the jaw. This can even can cause fever and eating disorders in your baby.
- Tooth decay can impact your baby’s nutrition, affecting your baby’s taste buds.
- Tooth decay can lead to overbites and alignment difficulties that require oral appliances to fix.
- Tooth decay can impede proper speech, and destructively affect the self-esteem of your child as they grow up.
What needs to be done
For your baby’s oral health care, there are a few reminders to keep in mind. Follow some of the essential tips below:
- Teeth begin to appear at six to ten months for most babies. Make sure to prepare for this and help your baby get by.
- For teething, it helps to rub your babies’ gums and give a cold object to suck on.
- To prevent tooth decay, make sure to brush your baby’s teeth twice a day, and avoid sugary foods and drinks. Also, do not put your baby to sleep with a bottle.
- Have your child visit the dentist at around 12 months or when their first tooth appears.
Taking care of your baby’s teeth and overall oral health is paramount. Even if your child is still young, make sure to care for their oral hygiene. Consider the oral care tips mentioned above to have positive repercussions on your child’s overall health in the long run.
If you’re looking for a local dentist to help you with your child's cavities, get in touch with us today for a free consultation!