Toddler Tooth Decay: A Parent’s Guide to Prevention, Reversal, and Treatment

Caring for your toddler’s teeth can be pretty tricky!

Squirmy, wiggly tots don’t usually like the idea of sitting still long enough to have their teeth brushed 😁

Many parents mistakenly think that baby teeth aren’t important because they eventually fall out. But this couldn’t be further from the truth!

Baby teeth may be temporary, but they are super important! They play an important role in your child’s oral health, jaw growth, and speech development.

In this blog, we will discuss what toddler tooth decay is, what causes it, and the steps parents can take to prevent, reverse, and treat it.

Key Points

Tooth decay in toddlers can progress quickly if not addressed. Look for the signs of tooth decay, such as white spots or brown spots, and take steps to improve your child’s oral hygiene routine, which will help prevent future issues.

⭐️ Ensure regular visits to your pediatric dentist for check-ups and cleanings.

⭐️ Limit sugary drinks and encourage a healthy diet.

⭐️ Start early! You should start brushing your child’s teeth as soon as they start to emerge. Make oral hygiene an important part of their daily life. Teach them from an early age that they should brush and floss day and night. 

Understanding Toddler Tooth Decay

Tooth decay in toddlers is a serious issue that can have long-lasting effects on your child’s permanent teeth.

Dental caries develops when cavity-causing bacteria feed on sugar, producing acids that erode the natural tooth enamel. Over time, this can lead to visible white spots, brown spots, and eventually cavities.

Left untreated, tooth decay can cause tooth pain, broken teeth, and infections that may spread to their permanent teeth.

Stages of Tooth Decay

• Early signs: A white spot or band on the surface of a tooth close to the gumline. Decay is reversible at this stage. It can be difficult for a parent to spot tooth decay in the early stages, that is why regular dental check-ups are so important. 
• A visible cavities: A yellow, brown or black spot or band on the tooth surface, usually close to the gum line. The decay is not reversible at this point and will need to be treated with a dental filling. 
• Advanced tooth decay: Teeth are brown or black and look like stumps. A dental restoration procedure, like a dental crown, is necessary to stop the tooth from decaying further.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay often occurs when toddlers fall asleep with bottles containing sugary drinks like milk or juice.

How to avoid baby bottle tooth decay

• Only offer water at bedtime: If your child needs a bottle at bedtime, make sure it only contains water.
• Do not dip pacifiers in sugar: Avoid sweetening pacifiers, as this exposes your child’s teeth to sugar.
• Clean your baby’s teeth: Wipe their gums with a gauze pad or soft cloth after feedings, and once teeth emerge, start brushing regularly.

Causes of Toddler Tooth Decay

Many factors can increase your child’s risk for tooth decay, from dietary habits to oral care routines.

Common causes are:

• Sugary drinks and fruit juice: Consuming too much sugar or allowing your child to sip on a cup filled with soft drinks or fruit juice throughout the day promotes the growth of cavity-causing bacteria.
• Baby bottle tooth decay: Putting your baby to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or juice exposes their teeth to sugars for extended periods, increasing the risk of decay.
• Poor oral hygiene: If you are not regularly cleaning your child’s teeth, plaque builds up, causing childhood caries.
• Lack of fluoride: Fluoride is important in strengthening tooth enamel and preventing cavities. If your local water supply lacks fluoride, talk to your pediatric dentist about fluoride treatments.

Check out your local water supply at My Water’s Fluoride.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay in Toddlers

You can prevent tooth decay with a few proactive measures:

1. Brush twice a day: Use a fluoride or hydroxyapatite toothpaste. If you are using fluoride toothpaste, use a rice-sized amount for children under three, increasing to a pea-sized amount as they get older.
2. Limit sugary drinks: Avoid giving sugary drinks like soft drinks and fruit juice, especially in a sippy cup or baby bottle. Encourage them to drink plenty of water throughout the day. 
3. Healthy diet: Ensure your child eats healthy foods that promote strong teeth, such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. For ideas on tooth-healthy foods, read Vitamins That Support Healthy Teeth and Gums. 
4. Regular dental visits: Schedule dental cleanings and check-ups with your pediatric dentist to catch early signs of tooth decay. Your child should have their first check-up by age 1 or when their first tooth appears. 
5. Use fluoride treatments: Fluoride treatments help protect teeth from cavities and strengthen natural tooth enamel.

How to Reverse Early Signs of Tooth Decay

If you have noticed white spots on your toddler’s teeth, it is still possible to reverse early decay.

Reversal steps:

• Improve oral hygiene: Help your child brush properly twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Incorporate fluoride: Fluoride treatments from your pediatric dentist can stop decay from progressing.
• Increase saliva flow: Encourage your child to drink water, as it helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids in the mouth.

Treatment Options for Toddler Tooth Decay

If your toddler has advanced tooth decay, treatment will depend on the severity of the issue.

Treatment methods include:

1. Silver diamine fluoride: A non-invasive treatment that stops decay in its tracks and prevents it from spreading to other teeth.
2. Fillings or crowns: For more advanced decay, your pediatric dentist may need to place fillings or dental crowns (caps) to protect the tooth.
3. Extractions: In severe cases where the tooth cannot be saved, your child may need to have the decayed tooth removed.

Protect Your Toddler’s Smile – Visit Our Pediatric Dentist in Frisco, TX

If you suspect your toddler may be showing signs of tooth decay, or if it is time for their next check-up, we are here to help.

To book an appointment at our pediatric dental office in Frisco, TX, call (214) 618-5200 or complete the online contact form.

If you are in the area, stop in and say hello! We are located at 6801 Warren Parkway, Suite 115, Frisco, TX 75034.