Recently, some moms around me have been discussing a topic, which is that their babies are getting cavities. This has caused them a lot of pain and confusion. They don't understand why their children, who are still so young, are getting cavities. These cases make people worry about the dental health of these cute little ones. Why do babies get cavities? And how can cavities be prevented?
Why do babies get cavities?
Cavities, also known as dental caries, are the most common oral infectious disease in the world. The oral bacteria that cause cavities break down food residue to dissolve the minerals in teeth. When the rate of mineral dissolution by bacteria is faster than the rate of remineralization of teeth through saliva, "cavities" form on the teeth. Monosaccharides, such as glucose and fructose, which are commonly found in daily diet, are the main energy source for these bacteria. This is why a high-sugar diet can easily lead to cavities. If oral hygiene is neglected, food residue accumulated in the pits and fissures of teeth can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Compared to permanent teeth in adults, baby teeth are more vulnerable. Therefore, children who love to drink juice, eat sweets, and have difficulty in maintaining regular tooth brushing are more prone to cavities. Even some infants who are still drinking milk have already developed decayed front teeth, known as "baby bottle tooth decay".
How to prevent cavities - Advice for parents of young babies
For infants and young babies who cannot brush their teeth on their own (usually before the age of 3), the responsibility of protecting their teeth falls entirely on parents. Refer to the guidelines of the American Dental Association (ADA) for the following suggestions:
(1) Avoid transferring oral bacteria from adults to babies through saliva. Do not kiss the baby's mouth or put the baby's feeding spoon, pacifier, and other items into your mouth. These bacteria may not harm adults, but they can cause cavities and even more serious consequences in babies.
(2) After each feeding, wipe the baby's gums with a clean damp gauze pad or towel. From the time the baby starts teething until the age of 3, use a special infant toothbrush and a small amount (about the size of a rice grain) of fluoride toothpaste to gently clean the baby's teeth.
(3) Do not use prolonged bottle feeding or formula feeding as a regular method to soothe the baby to sleep. There are many ways to soothe a baby to sleep, and good sleep habits should be cultivated from infancy.
(4) Baby bottles should only be used for drinking milk and plain water. Do not let the baby drink sugar water, juice, soft drinks, and other sugary beverages. For babies who are eating solid food, they should eat pureed fruits instead of drinking high-sugar fruit juice to ensure proper intake of nutrients from fruits.
(5) If the baby uses a pacifier, make sure it is clean and do not apply sugar or honey on the pacifier. Some babies may not like pacifiers, so try other soothing methods.
(6) Insufficient fluid intake in babies can also increase the risk of cavities. Encourage the baby to drink from a cup when they reach 1 year old. Plain water is always the best drink.
How to relieve toothache when baby has cavities
1. Apply honey to the painful area of the tooth. After a few minutes, the pain will subside and leave a fragrant taste in your mouth.
2. Use a toothpick to pick up a little Yunnan Baiyao and add a drop of water to make a paste. Then use the toothpick to apply the Yunnan Baiyao paste to the painful tooth. Generally, the pain will stop after 3 to 5 minutes.
3. Apply ice pack: Similar to treating bruises, apply an ice pack to the cheek where the toothache occurs to relieve pain. Apply it for 15 minutes each time, at least 3 to 4 times a day.
4. When experiencing toothache, bite on a small piece of ginger. It can be repeated as necessary and can even be kept in the mouth while sleeping.
