Baby Cavities: What You Need To Know

Healthy WA explains that cavities develop when baby’s teeth are exposed to sugar for long periods. These sugars can come from juice, cordial, soft drinks, sugary foods or honey, but they’re also found naturally in milk, including breast milk.

The bacteria that live in your baby’s mouth thrive on these sugars, and they can build up to form a layer of plaque on the teeth. When it’s exposed to sugar, plaque produces an acid by-product that can eat away at baby’s tooth enamel, which is thinner and softer than that of adults. The result is decay and cavities, or holes, in the teeth.

In the short term, cavities can cause your baby discomfort and pain. As the tooth erodes, your baby also becomes vulnerable to infection and abscess. Left untreated, cavities can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Losing baby teeth to decay can affect your young child’s nutrition, language development and jaw growth. While the baby teeth will eventually be replaced by adult teeth, the legacy of early tooth decay will stay with your child long afterwards.

The baby teeth guide the placement of the adult teeth, and so premature loss of the baby teeth can leave those permanent teeth crooked or crowded.

Healthy WA recommends beginning your baby’s oral health routine at birth. Use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe the gums twice a day, switching to brushing with a soft infant toothbrush when the first tooth appears.

They offer the following general advice for preventing cavities:

• Don’t let your baby drink cordial, juice, soft drinks or sweetened liquids from a bottle.
• If your baby takes a bottle to bed, give them cooled, boiled water instead of milk, cordial or juice.
• Replace your baby’s bottle with a cup at 6-12 months old.
• Don’t dip your baby’s dummy in honey or other sweet substances.
• Avoid sweet, sticky snacks.
• Space meals and snacks out to minimise acid exposure.

NSW Health warns against putting food, utensils or dummies in your mouth and then baby’s, explaining that this can transfer cavity-causing bacteria to your baby before the first tooth even arrives.

The ADA recommends booking your baby’s first dentist visit as soon as the first tooth appears, or by the first birthday – whichever comes first. By visiting the dentist as early as possible, you can detect cavities early and discuss strategies to protect baby’s oral health.

According to Healthy WA, white marks on the tooth surface close to the gum line are an early sign of tooth decay. More advanced decay appears as yellow-brown or black marks on the teeth, or even visible cavities.

The earlier decay is treated, the better the outcome. If you suspect your baby has tooth decay or cavities, book an appointment with your dentist immediately. The dentist may be able to reverse decay, offer protective treatments, fill cavities, or in extreme cases, extract the tooth.

Thorough, pro-active oral care is the best way to prevent baby cavities. With the help of your dentist, you can ensure your baby’s smile stays happy and healthy throughout childhood and beyond.