INTRODUCTION
Prevention of Tooth Decay in Children
In November 2008, the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) officially declared tooth decay an infectious disease. The report showed that all children are at risk for tooth decay and urged parents, the government, and the community to work together on prevention. Children are particularly vulnerable and suffer from this disease at an alarming rate. Tooth decay can be transmitted by licking a pacifier, sharing a spoon, or kissing. The ODA truly believes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dental caries is a serious disease but is preventable in almost all cases.
FEATURES
Common Treatments for Tooth Decay in Children
In November 2008, the Ontario Dental Association (ODA) officially declared tooth decay an infectious disease. The report showed that all children are at risk for tooth decay and urged parents, the government, and the community to work together on prevention. Children are particularly vulnerable and suffer from this disease at an alarming rate. Tooth decay can be transmitted by licking a pacifier, sharing a spoon, or kissing. The ODA truly believes that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dental caries is a serious disease but is preventable in almost all cases.
Available Treatments
Fluoride Treatment
1
If a cavity has not reached the gumline, it can be treated through professional fluoride treatment. In this process, the dentist applies gels, varnish, or foam with a high fluoride concentration. These contain much more fluoride than toothpaste or mouthwash. Fluoride makes tooth enamel more resistant to decay and acids, and helps rebuild healthy minerals that prevent or slow the progression of decay.
Tooth Fillings & Crowns
2
Dental fillings are the most common and widely preferred tooth decay treatment for children. Dentists remove the cavities and fill the infected area with tooth-coloured fillings. Composite and porcelain fillings are the most common, as they blend well with natural teeth. Dental crowns save the decayed tooth and prevent the spread of infection to adjacent teeth when decay is more advanced.
Root Canal or Extraction
3
Root canal treatment is necessary if decay reaches the innermost layer of the tooth. This procedure removes the damaged nerve and fills the space with dental material. If decay exceeds the gumline, the tooth is no longer treatable and must be extracted. Pediatric dentists typically use sedation to make the procedure painless.
SEALANTS
Sealants: A Barrier Against Decay
A cavity is a hole that forms on the surface of a tooth. Cavities are caused when sugars from food and bacteria in the mouth mix, producing acids that erode the enamel. To help prevent cavities, a dentist or hygienist can apply a hard coat of resin called a sealant to the chewing surfaces of your child's molars. This coating fills the pits and grooves of the teeth, acting as a barrier between the tooth and decay-causing acids. Sealants are one of the most effective preventive treatments we offer at Balsam Dental in The Beaches.
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TIPS FOR PARENTS
10 Tips for Parents to Build Healthy Oral Habits
Various factors can cause tooth decay in children, including bacteria in the mouth, consumption of sugary and starchy food items, frequent snacking, and poor oral hygiene. In the initial stages, tooth decay does not show any symptoms, but as it advances, it leads to severe oral complications.
Parent tips from the Ontario Dental Association
• Before your baby has teeth, wipe the gums gently with a clean, wet cloth after each feeding
• If your baby sleeps with a bottle or sippy cup, fill it with water only
• If your baby normally falls asleep while feeding, brush their teeth before feeding
• Watch for changes in colour, lines, or spots on your child's teeth
• Start brushing with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bedtime as soon as the first tooth appears
• Begin flossing at least once a day when your child's teeth are touching
• Change your child's toothbrush every one to three months
• Let your child watch you brushing and assist with theirs
• Don't share spoons, cups, food, or toothbrushes with your child
• Visit your dentist by age one or when the first tooth appears
At Balsam Dental in The Beaches, we welcome new patients starting from their very first tooth.
BENEFITS
Care, timing, and what to expect.
What Causes Tooth Decay in Children?
Various factors can cause tooth decay in children, adversely affecting their oral health. These include the presence of bacteria in the mouth, the consumption of sugary and starchy food items, frequent snacking, and poor oral hygiene. In the initial stages, tooth decay does not show any symptoms, but as it advances, it leads to severe oral complications and becomes more difficult to treat.
How Does Tooth Decay Affect Children's Oral Health?
If left untreated, tooth decay can severely harm a child's oral health. It can cause holes in teeth, persistent pain, dental caries, and even tooth loss. Early treatment is essential to prevent long-term complications, and cavities in baby teeth can even affect permanent teeth developing underneath.
How do dental sealants work?
Dental sealants are a thin protective coating painted onto the chewing surfaces of your child's back molars. The molars have deep grooves and pits where food and bacteria can get trapped and cause decay. Sealants fill in those grooves and create a smooth surface that's much easier to keep clean. Applying sealants takes only a few minutes per tooth, is completely painless, and provides years of protection. It's one of the most effective preventive treatments for children.
When Should My Child First See a Dentist?
Visit your dentist by the age of one year or when the first teeth appear. Take your child to the dentist for regular check-ups to make sure there are no problems. Early visits let us catch issues early, give parents guidance on home care, and help kids get comfortable with the dentist before any problems develop.
How much toothpaste should my child use?
For kids under 3, use a smear of fluoride toothpaste about the size of a grain of rice. For kids 3–6, use a pea-sized amount. Kids should be supervised while brushing until at least age 7 or 8, and taught to spit out — not swallow — the toothpaste. Fluoride is safe and beneficial in these small amounts.
My child hates brushing. What do I do?
You're not alone — this is one of the most common parenting struggles. Try letting them pick out their own toothbrush and toothpaste, use a brushing song or app (2 minutes is the goal), brush together so they can copy you, and reward consistency (not perfection). If nothing works, come in and we can talk to your child directly — sometimes hearing it from the dentist lands differently.
Are juice and fruit snacks really that bad for my child's teeth?
Yes — probably more than most parents realize. Fruit juice, even 100% juice, is essentially sugar water for teeth. Fruit snacks and gummies stick to teeth and feed decay-causing bacteria for hours. Water is by far the best drink between meals. If juice is going to happen, having it with a meal (not sipping throughout the day) reduces the harm significantly.
When do baby teeth start falling out, and does it matter if they fall out early?
Baby teeth typically start falling out around age 6 and finish around age 12. If a baby tooth is lost too early (due to decay or injury), the adjacent teeth can drift into the gap and crowd out the incoming permanent tooth. Sometimes a small dental appliance called a space maintainer is needed to hold the space until the adult tooth is ready to come in.
