Early Childhood Caries: A growing public health concern
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Dr Rajkumari Sarada Devi
Contd from previous issue
Children from low-income families are at a higher risk for ECC due to limited access to dental care, lack of education on oral hygiene practices, and a higher likelihood of consuming inexpensive sugary foods. Inadequate Fluoride Exposure or Children lacking enough fluoride that can either come from water or fluoride toothpaste easily develop ECC. Management of early childhood caries (ECC) focuses on preventing further damage to the teeth, managing pain, and restoring the teeth to help improve the child's oral health.
Maintaining primary dentition in a healthy condition is important for the well-being of the child. Cleaning the child’s teeth as soon as they erupt with a soft toothbrush and water. As the child gets older and more teeth come in, you can gradually transition to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and continue brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It's also a good idea to schedule a dental check-up by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears. This helps ensure their teeth are developing properly. Primary dentition is required for proper masti- cation, esthetics, phonetics, space maintenance for the eruption of permanent teeth. Reducing dental plaque formation, changing the bacterial composition of plaque, and modification of dietary habits are essential for the prevention of dental caries. Prevention of the progress of the ECC can be achieved with the aid of restorations, diet counseling, educating parents regarding decay promoting feeding behaviors, maintain good oral hygiene.
Oral hygiene maintenance and dietary modi- fication are the two primary home-care methods for caries prevention. In addition, fluorides are very effective in preventing dental caries, including fluoride toothpaste. Apart from home- care methods, professional dentistry methods include topical fluoride application on smooth tooth surfaces. Topical fluoride is an effective preventive measure for early childhood caries (ECC), helping to streng-then tooth enamel and make it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria.
Applying fluoride varnishes or gels to the teeth of young children can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay, especially in those with high caries risk. Regular use of fluoride in conjunction with good oral hygiene practices can be crucial in managing and preventing ECC. Pit and fissure sealants are preventive dental treatments designed to protect the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of teeth from decay.
In conclusion, the management of early childhood caries (ECC) requires a multifaceted approach that involves both preventive and therapeutic measures. The management strategy should include educating parents and caregivers about proper oral hygiene, the importance of a balanced diet, and the need for regular dental check-ups. Early Childhood Caries is a preventable but widespread problem that can have lasting effects on a child’s health and well-being.
(The writer is Asst Prof Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dental College RIMS)
Contd from previous issue
Children from low-income families are at a higher risk for ECC due to limited access to dental care, lack of education on oral hygiene practices, and a higher likelihood of consuming inexpensive sugary foods. Inadequate Fluoride Exposure or Children lacking enough fluoride that can either come from water or fluoride toothpaste easily develop ECC. Management of early childhood caries (ECC) focuses on preventing further damage to the teeth, managing pain, and restoring the teeth to help improve the child's oral health.
Maintaining primary dentition in a healthy condition is important for the well-being of the child. Cleaning the child’s teeth as soon as they erupt with a soft toothbrush and water. As the child gets older and more teeth come in, you can gradually transition to a pea-sized amount of toothpaste and continue brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush. It's also a good idea to schedule a dental check-up by their first birthday or when the first tooth appears. This helps ensure their teeth are developing properly. Primary dentition is required for proper masti- cation, esthetics, phonetics, space maintenance for the eruption of permanent teeth. Reducing dental plaque formation, changing the bacterial composition of plaque, and modification of dietary habits are essential for the prevention of dental caries. Prevention of the progress of the ECC can be achieved with the aid of restorations, diet counseling, educating parents regarding decay promoting feeding behaviors, maintain good oral hygiene.
Oral hygiene maintenance and dietary modi- fication are the two primary home-care methods for caries prevention. In addition, fluorides are very effective in preventing dental caries, including fluoride toothpaste. Apart from home- care methods, professional dentistry methods include topical fluoride application on smooth tooth surfaces. Topical fluoride is an effective preventive measure for early childhood caries (ECC), helping to streng-then tooth enamel and make it more resistant to acid attacks from plaque bacteria.
Applying fluoride varnishes or gels to the teeth of young children can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay, especially in those with high caries risk. Regular use of fluoride in conjunction with good oral hygiene practices can be crucial in managing and preventing ECC. Pit and fissure sealants are preventive dental treatments designed to protect the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of teeth from decay.
In conclusion, the management of early childhood caries (ECC) requires a multifaceted approach that involves both preventive and therapeutic measures. The management strategy should include educating parents and caregivers about proper oral hygiene, the importance of a balanced diet, and the need for regular dental check-ups. Early Childhood Caries is a preventable but widespread problem that can have lasting effects on a child’s health and well-being.
(The writer is Asst Prof Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dental College RIMS)