I have always envied those around me who seem to always have perfect smiles without even trying, because I feel like I was born with "bad teeth." While my teeth are in great shape now, it is only because I take great care to visit the dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning and maintain good oral hygiene habits at home. While I used to get a lot of cavities, even though I thought I was doing "everything right" to keep them away, I am proud to say that I have been cavity-free for a couple of years now! I put a lot of research into what daily habits can wreak havoc on my teeth, and I thought it would be a shame not to share what has helped me with others who need the advice. I plan to post many oral health tips on my new blog!
As a parent, dental care becomes an important topic about as soon as those first little pearly whites start peeking through your child's gumline. Early childhood dental caries, often simply called ECC, is definitely one concern that comes along with those new teeth because this is one dental issue that is quite common for children. Even though ECC is a possibility with just about any child, you being knowledgeable as a parent about the problem is the key to making sure you know what to do if you spot signs of caries early on. To be educated about ECC, it is best to get rid of some of the biggest misconceptions right off the bat.
Misconception: ECC is tooth decay, but it does not cause the same level of pain as in permanent teeth.
Fact: Even though your child may not tell you specifically that their teeth are hurting because of decay, it is highly likely they are experiencing pain. The pain with dental caries in early childhood can be enough to interrupt sleep, cause problems with learning and development, and even prevent your child from eating a well-balanced diet.
Misconception: There is no reason to have affected teeth pulled because they will come out eventually anyway.
Fact: The teeth will come out on their own eventually because they are baby teeth. However, it is always best to take your child for attention from a pediatric dentist as soon as you spot a problem. The dentist will work with you to determine if the teeth should be pulled immediately or if some cavities could be filled to prolong the life of some teeth that are pertinent to speech development. If necessary, the teeth should be pulled because they can cause your child to have pain and keeping the deteriorating teeth in place could affect the growth of permanent ones.
Misconception: Dental caries in children will usually mean surgery.
Fact: Some parents avoid taking their little one to the dentist due to the fear that their child will have to have surgery to have the affected teeth removed. However, this is not always a necessity. Some pediatric dentists will use localized anesthesia or gas in the office to be able to pull the teeth without surgery if the teeth even have to be pulled. Not all teeth affected by dental caries will have to be pulled because it usually depends on the degree of the problem.
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Share6 August 2016
