Complication of Early Childhood Caries

Early Childhood Caries (ECC) refers to the occurrence of a single or many decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces in an infant generally between the age of 0 and 71 months. And its severe form is called as progressive or atypical or rampant or acute patterns in dental caries. ADA (American Dental Association) emphasizes that ECC is a major health problem affecting almost everyone generally.

All the dental professionals are recommended by ADA to highlight that the child’s teeth is vulnerable for decay soon after its first appearance. ECC is a contagious disease. Though there are many phases or forms of ECC, baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) is one of its serious manifestations occurring more prevalently.
ADA suggests all individuals including parents and guardians, soon after their child gets his/her first tooth, to immediately get in touch with a dentist for the following.

• Setting up the first dental visit for your child: It is highly recommended to visit your dentist within six months of the appearance of the first tooth and before the child is one year old.

• Becoming aware of the oral health education (anticipatory guidance) depending upon your child’s developmental requirements.
ADA pushes all its members to spread awareness among the parents and caregivers regarding the reduction of the risk for ECC and BBTD later. Some of those facts are summarized as follows.

• Bacterial Reduction: Owing to the high transmission levels of cariogenic bacteria (particularly streptococci mutans), it is recommended to reduce the levels of mutans of the mothers to reduce the child’s risk of ECC. ADA hence suggests the parents and caretakers to get a dental check up themselves.

• Nutrition: both infants and youngsters must be given a balanced diet which follows the US Dietary Guidelines necessary for Americans. This has been published by Departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services. Unlimited consumption of liquids, foods and beverages rich in sugars or fermentable carbohydrates offered willingly to the child can result in tooth decay and its removal finally.

• Bottle Feeding: unlimited intake of liquids rich in sugar during either daytime or nighttimes must be discouraged strongly. Infants must be given enough time between their liquid food and sleep during nights especially.

• Breast Feeding: unrestricted breast feeding during night times after the child gets his first tooth must be avoided owing to the risk of developing ECC.

• Cup Usage: encourage your child to drink from his cup after his first birthday. But at the same time, do not force the child and give excessive training. He must act according to his own will.