Prevention is a priority in the management of childhood caries. Parents can prevent tooth decay by:
- Brushing from the first tooth.
- Encouraging twice-daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste.
- Supervising and guiding brushing in young children and toddlers.
- Keeping sugary foods and drinks to a minimum.
- Discouraging snacking between meals.
- Giving babies and toddlers bottles of water instead of juice and milk at night.
Using an age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste will prevent build-up of the plaque that causes tooth decay in children, and help to remineralise and protect the enamel against acid attacks. Before a cavity has developed, this can be sufficient to reverse caries.
In early-stage caries, or for children at high risk of developing caries, dentists may recommend more intensive fluoride therapies. They may administer a protective in-office varnish, like Colgate Duraphat Varnish, which coats the teeth with an ultra-high-fluoride solution for proven caries prevention in both primary and secondary teeth.
For children with permanent teeth, a sealant can also be applied to the molars and premolars. This fills the pits and fissures in the teeth, which can be especially prone to plaque build-up and caries development.
For children over 10, dentists may also recommend a prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste like Colgate Duraphat Toothpaste 2800ppm.
Once a cavity has developed, enamel damage cannot be reversed. The decayed tissue must be removed and the cavity filled. If decay has reached the pulp, a root canal or an extraction is usually necessary and will sometimes require a hospital admission.
