Child Dental Caries

There are significant differences in the causes, manifestations, prevention and treatment of adult caries and infant caries. Dental caries in adults is often related to long-term bad habits, smoking and drinking, and gingival atrophy. Common symptoms include sensitivity, pain and cavity of permanent teeth. Prevention requires attention to oral care and lifestyle management, and treatment methods are more diverse, including filling, root canal therapy and crown restoration.

howeverChildren's dental caries refers to the occurrence of dental caries on deciduous teeth, which is characterized by black or brown spots on the surface of the teeth, which gradually expand to form caries cavities. In recent years, the incidence of dental caries in children at home and abroad is on the rise. Studies have shown that genetics, diet, oral hygiene habits and other factors may affect the occurrence of dental caries in young children.

the harm of dental caries in young children should not be underestimated. Dental caries can cause local tooth pain, infection, shedding, etc., which seriously affects children's chewing function and oral health, and then affects children's nutrition absorption, growth and development, pronunciation and mental health. Studies have shown that dental caries is closely related to malnutrition in young children (Smith et al. 2018).

The causes of dental caries in young children are complex and diverse, including bacterial effects, dietary factors, oral hygiene and deciduous tooth structure. The interaction of bacteria with food residues in the oral cavity is the main cause of dental caries. The intake of high-sugar, high-acid foods also provides a rich source of nutrients for bacteria. In addition, poor oral hygiene habits and the structural characteristics of the deciduous teeth themselves may also increase the risk of dental caries.Johnson & Lee (2019)pointed out that these factors interact to contribute to the occurrence of dental caries in young children.

in order to prevent the occurrence of dental caries in young children, we can start from the following aspects:

1. diet adjustment: reduce sugar intake, increase the intake of vegetables and fruits. This helps maintain the acid-base balance of the mouth and reduces the chance of bacterial growth.
2. Oral hygiene: Parents should teach their children the correct way to brush their teeth, and encourage them to develop a good habit of brushing their teeth in the morning and evening and gargling after meals. In addition, regular oral examination with children is also essential.
3. fluoride application: the use of fluoride toothpaste can effectively enhance the anti-caries ability of teeth. At the same time, fluoride coating is also an effective means of prevention.
4. Pit and fissure sealing: For the deep pit and fissure on the surface of deciduous teeth, the pit and fissure sealing technique can be used to prevent the occurrence of dental caries. This technique closes the pit and fissure, reducing bacterial growth and retention of food debris.

For children who have dental caries, we should take appropriate treatment according to the condition. Non-surgical treatment includes local cleaning, drug treatment, etc.; surgical treatment includes filling, tooth extraction, etc. Early intervention is of great significance for controlling the disease and alleviating pain.