A cavity is a small hole in your tooth that occurs when the hard outer layer of the tooth, called the enamel, is damaged. Cavities form when bacteria and sugar in the mouth create an acid that eats away at the enamel. Because bacteria are naturally present in the mouth, anyone can get a cavity.
Cavities in Babies and Toddlers
Cavities aren’t only an adult problem. They can also develop in babies and toddlers as soon as baby teeth start to appear. In this age group, there are a few situations that create a prime environment for a cavity to form:
- Exposure to bacteria: Parents and caregivers often unknowingly pass additional cavity-causing bacteria onto babies’ mouths. For example, saliva can be shared when a parent tests a food or drink before feeding a baby with the same utensil or cup. It can also happen while cleaning off a pacifier with your mouth before passing it back to your baby.
- Exposure to sugar: Whenever a baby’s teeth or gums are exposed to liquid or food other than water, tooth decay can develop. This commonly happens when a baby is put to bed with a bottle of formula, milk, juice, soft drink, or sugar water. It can also happen when toddlers drink anything other than water out of a sippy cup or bottle frequently throughout the day.
- Dental hygiene: Babies and toddlers don’t have a mouth full of teeth yet, but they still need an oral hygiene routine. Parents and caregivers can start thinking about professional dental checkups starting as early as 6 months old. In addition, after every baby feeding session, a clean washcloth should be used to gently wipe the inside of the mouth and gums. Experts also recommend gently brushing toddler teeth with a child-sized toothbrush and a drop of fluoride toothpaste.3
Dental Visits for Your Child
Cavities in babies and toddlers are more likely to form when they haven’t had a routine dental visit yet. Experts recommend scheduling this appointment by age 1, or as soon as the child’s first tooth appears. If a dentist is not accessible to you, a pediatrician or other children’s healthcare provider can take a peek inside your child’s mouth and explain how to keep their teeth healthy.
Cavities in Children
Even though they may not be drinking out of a bottle or sippy cup anymore, older children are also susceptible to getting cavities. Some common risk factors include:
- Eating a diet high in sugars and starches: When mixed with bacteria in the mouth, sugar and carbohydrate-rich foods like juices, candy, cookies, chips, and crackers are easily broken down into acids that can damage the tooth’s outer layer and turn into a cavity. Frequent snacking exposes your child’s teeth to this damage even more.
- Insufficient fluoride use: Experts have found that fluoride, a natural mineral, helps prevent bacterial overgrowth and mineralizes the teeth. If your child does not have access to fluoride through toothpaste or tap water, they may be losing an added layer of protection for fighting cavities.
- Limited dental hygiene routine: In addition to professional dental cleanings twice a year, the American Dental Association recommends that children brush their teeth twice a day for two-minute intervals each time (ideally after breakfast and before bed). If not supervised, it’s easy for children to be lax about brushing, or skip it altogether.
- Tooth structure and susceptibility: Despite having good oral hygiene habits, some children appear to be more prone to getting cavities. Experts suspect this could be due to genetic predisposition involving the structure of the tooth’s enamel, or bacteria naturally present in the mouth.
Supervising Your Child’s Brushing
Children need adult supervision during toothbrushing. This helps ensure they don’t accidentally swallow too much fluoride toothpaste, and that they are cleaning their teeth adequately. Once your child has their daily dental routine down, you can help make sure they’re flossing once per day, as well.