One of the causes of decay in baby teeth is allowing children to fall asleep with a milk bottle, which leaves milk sugars from both breast milk and cow’s milk on the teeth. These sugars can be converted by bacteria in dental plaque into acids that erode the tooth enamel, creating cavities. Besides bottle feeding, decay in baby teeth can also result from underdeveloped tooth structures due to premature birth or low birth weight, as well as excessive consumption of sweets without proper brushing. Additionally, many parents mistakenly believe that baby teeth are not important since they will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth, leading them to neglect proper dietary habits and dental care. As children are also not yet capable of effectively cleaning their teeth on their own, this increases their risk of tooth decay.
Understanding the 3 stages of tooth decay:
- Early-stage decay: appears as white spot lesions on the enamel or in the pits and fissures of the teeth, typically without symptoms.
- Enamel and dentin decay: the tooth structure breaks down, creating visible cavities. Children may start to experience sensitivity and pain when food gets stuck.
- Advanced decay reaching the dental pulp: often painful, with possible nerve inflammation, gum inflammation, and other surrounding tissue involvement. Some children may not experience pain at all.
At what age can baby teeth start decaying? Tooth decay or early childhood caries can occur as soon as teeth appear in the mouth, which is around six months old. Baby teeth enamel is only about half as thick as that of permanent teeth and contains less calcium and phosphorus, making them more susceptible to decay. The upper front baby teeth are more prone to decay than the lower ones, and the back molars are particularly vulnerable because they trap sweet foods in their crevices, making them harder to clean.
Treatment for decayed baby teeth:
- If the decay is caught early, the dentist may recommend dietary adjustments and oral hygiene practices or apply dental sealants.
- For teeth with enamel and dentin decay, the dentist may fill or crown the affected teeth.
- If the decay has reached the dental pulp, root canal treatment or extraction may be necessary.
- If the decay hasn’t severely damaged the tooth root and bone, the dentist may recommend preserving the baby teeth until the permanent teeth are ready to emerge.
Prevention tips for baby tooth decay:
- Train infants to sleep without a milk bottle.
- For toddlers, clean the mouth after milk feeding.
- Teach children to drink from a cup or straw from 6–12 months of age, and wean off the bottle by age 1.
- Avoid letting children snack on sweets or sugary foods frequently.
- Choose healthy, sugar-free snacks like plain milk, fruits, tuna sandwiches, or fish sticks.
- Rinse the mouth after drinking milk or eating sweets.
- Brush children’s teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste (1000-1500 ppm) in the morning and before bedtime.
- By age 4, teach children the proper technique for brushing their teeth and supervise them until they can do it effectively by themselves by at least age 8.
- Take your child to the dentist within 6 months of the eruption of the first baby tooth or by their first birthday for a dental check-up and advice on oral health care, and continue regular dental visits every 3-6 months depending on the risk of decay.
