Dental Health Tips For Small Children - Causes and Treatment of Early Childhood Caries (ECC)

For parents with children under 1 year of age whothe child, resulting in a severe milk-bottle syndrome.
may not be aware of a very real threat to the dentalIt should be noted by parents keen on safeguarding
health of their kids, like ECC, this article focuses ontheir little ones that this is a pretty common childcare
explaining the nature of this condition and tips on howdental health threat that affects 3 year olds and
to tackle Early Childhood Caries. By understanding itssmaller kids. So, proper weaning and the practice of
causes and applying prompt treatment approaches,drinking from a cup after the age of 1 year and
you can help prevent painful cavities from developingavoidance of nighttime bottle-in-mouth instances
and keep the smiles on your precious little ones intact.particularly, is advised.
Read on to learn how!During the daylight, when the child sleeps for a shorter
ECC is the acronym for a medical condition calledtime, and is awake for the most part, the constant
Early Childhood Caries, which can occur in tiny tots -flow of saliva enables any acids built up on the surface
yes, even though less than 12 months old! However,of the tooth or teeth to get washed away, but this is
surveys held by state-run healthcare institutionsconsiderably reduced when a child is asleep, which is
reveals shocking facts about parents being unawaremore likely at night.
of tooth decay issues that are common in infants,4 of the top front teeth are most likely to display ECC
which can have very serious consequences like longsymptoms, which are distinguished by chalky white
term weakening of their affected tooth or teeth'smarks caused by acids that decalcify them. Not only
development, if left unchecked.do these look unsightly, but also if left unchecked, can
In fact, the AAPD (the US's governing authority forbe very painful for the child's and prevent proper
child dental care, known as Academy of Pediatricholding space developing in the baby's mouth for future
Dentistry) reports percentages as high as 90 for somepermanent teeth.
populations that come under the 'Head Start' segmentTo eliminate chances of having your child wear braces
for ECC cases. They outline certain necessaryand other dental problems such as infections,
precautions for parents with infants and small childrenabscesses etc it is suggested that parents stay alert
in order to prevent the full-blown debilitating effects ofto small children falling asleep with a bottle of milk,
ECC, which are produced below for your easyformula or sweet liquids in their mouth.
reference.For a child crying excessively, interim relief between
Causes and Treatment of ECCsweetened bottle-feeds can be provided by cool
The common reason for ECC developing is when awater in a bottle. Also, never give a small child a
bottle-fed infant or toddler is accustomed to drinkingpacifier that's been dipped in sweetened products.
sweetened beverages before sleeping and fallsFinally, on sighting any red, swollen or unusual marks on
asleep with the teat to the mouth. This may includeyour child's mouth, immediately consult a dental
juice, milk or any other sweetened children's drink, all ofpediatrician.
which can result in transferring nursing-bottle caries to