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What Is “Early Childhood
Cavities”?
“Early Childhood Cavities” (E.C.C.) is tooth
decay which affects the teeth of babies and
young children.
Tooth decay is
caused by plaque. Plaque is an invisible
film containing germs and food particles that
stick to teeth. Plaque constantly grows in
the mouth. At birth, babies do not have decay-causing
germs in their mouths. These germs are
passed from parents to babies through
kissing and sharing utensils like spoons.
The more germs the parents have in their
mouths, the more germs will be passed on to
the babies. This can increase the risk of
early childhood cavities.
When sugars and starches are eaten, the
germs in plaque make decay-causing acid.
This acid causes tooth decay if plaque is not
removed every day. Most drinks, except
water, contain sugar which changes into
acids in the mouth.
What Does Early Childhood
Cavities Look Like?
E.C.C. first appears as chalky white
crescent-shaped areas on the tooth by the
gumline. If this tooth decay goes unnoticed,
teeth begin to turn brown and tooth
decay grows quickly. In severe cases, the
tops of the teeth can be broken away,
leaving brown or black stumps and
abscesses (infections).
The top front baby teeth are the most
common teeth to decay because they are some of the first
teeth to grow in. Baby molars can also decay.
Bottom front teeth do not usually decay because the tongue protects these teeth from
the liquid while the baby sucks.
What Can Happen To A Child
With Early Childhood Cavities?
Decayed baby teeth can cause:
- pain (toothaches) and infection from
abscesses.
- poor appetite since chewing can be
painful. If healthy foods cannot be
chewed the baby may grow more slowly.
- difficulty sleeping because of pain or
discomfort.
- fevers due to infections.
- ear infections and/or hearing loss due to
sinus blockage.
- poor appearance.
- poor self-esteem.
- speech problems.
- crowded permanent teeth.
Wipe baby’s
mouth daily.
How Can Early Childhood Cavities
Be Prevented?
Begin daily mouth-cleaning at birth before
teeth appear. Wipe the baby’s gums, roof of
mouth and insides of cheeks with a clean,
soft, damp fabric cloth.
When the first teeth appear, brush them
gently with a small, soft bristled toothbrush.
A smear of fluoride toothpaste can be used. When children are age 3,
a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
should be used. Brushing should be
supervised and the toothpaste should be spit
out. The use of fluoride helps to make the
teeth stronger.
Check your baby’s mouth daily. Look for
chalky white areas along the gumline, black
or brown spots on teeth, or mouth sores. If
you see any of these, take your child to a
dental professional as soon as possible.
More Tips to Prevent Early
Childhood Cavities
- Put your baby to bed with a favourite toy.
Avoid putting your baby to bed with a
bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or
any sweet liquid, like iced tea or pop.
- Avoid using the bottle or breast as a
pacifier during the day or night. This
causes milk to dribble slowly into the
baby’s mouth over a long period of time
and pool. This will cause repeated acid
attacks to the teeth and cause tooth decay.
- Never give a baby a soother that has been
dipped in sugar, honey or any sweet
substance.
- Encourage the baby to use a cup for drinks
rather than a bottle when the baby is old
enough. This is usually after 6 months of
age.
- Limit the number of sweet treats given to
infants and toddlers. This includes treats
given by parents, grandparents and other
caregivers.
- Visits to the dentist should begin at age
one. When there are concerns or
questions, contact a dental professional as
soon as possible. This will prevent
toothaches, abscesses and costly dental
treatment.
- Parents and caregivers need to brush and
floss their own teeth every day and visit
the dentist regularly so that their mouth
will be healthy. This will limit the
number of decay-causing germs passed to
the baby from the parents or the caregivers
mouth.
For more information, call the
Oral Health Program at
(306) 655-4462
© 2008, Saskatoon Health Region.
(updated February 19, 2009)
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