Kids & Cavities: Taking Care of Baby Teeth in Shreveport

Many parents bring their children to Cormier Family Dentistry in Shreveport for their first dental appointments–and are surprised when a cavity is detected on a brand new molar. The discovery of an early cavity often causes distress, especially when proper oral hygiene habits are being observed at home.

Good oral care habits like regular brushing, flossing and avoiding sweets go a long way toward cavity prevention, however there are other causes for tooth decay beyond neglecting to brush twice a day. One of these causes tends to run in families. It is a condition known as dental caries. Dental caries is caused by germs and bacteria which means it can easily spreads within families where oral flora is often inadvertently shared.

If your child shows early signs of tooth decay, they are not alone. Several million preschoolers are diagnosed with tooth decay annually. While much of the increase can be attributed to added sugar in the American diet, other researchers postulate that the increase can also be tied to the popularity of bottled waters which lack the fluoride provided through most municipal water sources.

Whether stimulated by sugars or allowed to proliferate in the absence of fluoride, all tooth decay originates from a group of germs known as mutans streptococcus. This bacteria seeks and lives on sugars found within the oral cavity. As this bacteria dines on existing sugars they effectively digest the sugar into an acid which destroys the calcium of the teeth. This malignant bacteria also creates plaque–the thick yellow film known for attacking the integrity of enamel and calcium. As the acid and plaque eat away at the tooth, the structure begins to collapse. This structural collapse creates the cavity in your or your child’s tooth.

This bacteria is not native to the mouth. Your child is born without this bacteria. However children often become infected with the bacteria prior to reaching the age of two through benign habits like sharing spoons, toothbrushes, and other saliva and bacteria capturing items with older germ carriers like their parents. Parents that have proven prone to cavities and tooth decay are often responsible for passing the harmful oral germs to their kids.

Once the oral cavity and teeth are infected with these teeth damaging bacteria susceptibility to decay and cavities in both brand new baby teeth as well as future permanent teeth increases. Two young children might eat the same sugary candies and syrup-filled beverages–the child carrying dental caries will struggle with decay while the other child without the bacteria will remain cavity free throughout childhood.

Parents with a history of cavities can help prevent the spread of the germs by exercising caution early on. As there is currently is no antibiotic available that kills bacteria once it takes up residence in a child’s mouth, knowledge, caution and prevention are the best allies to protect your child’s mouth and teeth. This means limiting the exchange and sharing of items that might transfer saliva. It also requires strong enforcement of dental care habits from an early age.

This includes regular check-ups at Cormier Family Dentistry.
Feel free to contact us directly to schedule an appointment at our Shreveport office. We can discuss your oral health history and provide tips for managing your child’s oral health.