The healthier the milk teeth progress, the cleaner and healthier teeth will develop in childhood and adulthood.

Oral and dental care in children should start from infancy. Oral care should be initiated when the first teeth emerge. The healthier the milk teeth progress, the cleaner and healthier teeth will develop in childhood and adulthood.

How should toothbrushes be for children?

They should be age-appropriate in size, and the bristles should not be too hard. Children may prefer electric toothbrushes as they may find them fun, which can increase motivation for toothbrushing. Additionally, electric toothbrushes provide better oral hygiene compared to other brushes. Just like adults replace their toothbrushes at certain intervals, we should also do this for children.

Which toothpaste should children use and how often?

For children between 3 and 6 years old, it is recommended to use a pea-sized amount of toothpaste under the supervision of a parent. Around the age of 6, children develop the reflex not to swallow toothpaste, so the risk of swallowing is eliminated. For younger children who still have a swallowing risk, it is more appropriate to use fluoride-free toothpaste. The most critical period for fluorosis in children is up until the age of 3. After the development of enamel is completed, around 7-8 years old, the risk of fluorosis is eliminated.

What are the causes of tooth decay in children?

Milk teeth contain less mineral but more organic structures compared to permanent teeth. Therefore, they are more prone to decay. Children usually notice cavities when they cause unbearable pain and sensitivity. Sometimes, even if they have pain, they do not express it due to fear. That’s why parents should pay attention to their children’s teeth as much as they do to their own teeth.

The dietary habits of children are also important. Parents often give excessive amounts of candies, chocolates, sweetened milk, etc. to keep their children occupied; however, these are among the most important factors in tooth decay. Children should be fed in a balanced and healthy way for both their development and oral care.

What are the treatment methods for tooth decay in children?

1. Treatment with Fluoride Sealant or Fluoride Varnish: The aim is to prevent tooth decay.
2. Fissure Sealant Treatment: Fissure sealant is applied to very deep cavities on chewing surfaces and teeth that are difficult to clean. The aim of this treatment is to prevent the formation of cavities.
3. Pulpotomy (Root Canal Treatment) in Milk Teeth: Extensively decayed teeth can cause sudden pain due to inflammation of the pulp. Root canal treatment may be applied depending on the child’s age and the condition of the infection.
4. Milk Tooth Extraction: If tooth decay has advanced significantly and cannot be treated with filling or root canal treatment, tooth extraction is necessary. If there is an infection in the area to be treated, the tooth extraction is performed after a few days of taking antibiotics.
5. Space Maintainers for Milk Teeth: Generally, when teeth are lost due to decay, neighboring teeth can shift towards the gap and block the way for the permanent tooth that will erupt from below. To prevent this, space maintainers are used, which is an excellent treatment method. Space maintainers should be used until the child’s permanent teeth erupt. Since they are installed at a young age, as the child grows and develops, the space maintainer may start to feel small or may expand or contract. In such cases, it is necessary to immediately visit a dentist for a check-up. Ensuring that permanent teeth come in properly also prevents the need for orthodontic treatment.
   Space maintainers are divided into two types: fixed and removable.
   – Fixed space maintainers, as the name suggests, are fixed appliances that do not move. They are cemented by a dentist and can only be placed and removed by a dentist. The patient cannot remove them.
   – Removable space maintainers, on the other hand, can be placed and removed without the need for a dentist. In this case, maintenance and cleaning can also be done easily.
6. SDF Treatment Method in Children: This stands for Silver Diamine Fluoride and is a treatment method applied to severely damaged teeth where fillings cannot be done. The tooth is reduced in size and bonded with a special adhesive to prevent bacteria from entering. Regular follow-ups should be done. When the milk tooth falls out, the SDF also falls out and does not require any additional procedures.

Why Should Cavities in Milk Teeth Be Treated?

Because if left untreated, it can cause pain, bad breath, and an unsightly appearance in the mouth. If left untreated, it can also pave the way for many other health problems.
Parents should not have the mindset that milk teeth will eventually fall out both in themselves and in their children. They should consider the oral and dental health of their children from the very beginning.