What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is the breakdown of the hard outer surface of the tooth called the enamel. As the enamel wears away, holes in the tooth can form. These are known as cavities or caries. 

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of tooth decay in children include:

• pain around the tooth affected
• tooth sensitivity (pain when drinking a cold or hot drink, or a very sweet food)

When the cavity first forms it will be light brown in appearance. As it gets deeper, it starts to turn black.

How is tooth decay diagnosed?

Tooth decay is diagnosed with a physical examination of your child’s mouth. Occasionally, an X-ray might be taken to assess the extent of the decay.

What are the causes of tooth decay in children?

Damage to the enamel is caused by the reaction between natural bacteria in the mouth and the food you eat. Over time the acids produced in this reaction eats away at the enamel and causes tooth decay.

What your child eats plays a large role in this process. Foods which contribute most to tooth decay include:

• sugary drinks; 
• fruit juice; 
• chocolate; 
• sweets; 
• cereals; 
• cake, and;
• bread.

The other main factor is poor oral hygiene. It is important that your child brushes their teeth twice a day using a fluoride-based toothpaste.

How do you prevent it?

You can help prevent tooth decay in your child by making sure:

• their dietary intake of food high in sugars is limited
• they don’t eat snacks between meals
• they brush their teeth twice a day
• you take them to visit the dentist on a regular basis
• if you have a toddler, don’t leave them with a bottle of milk at bedtime – the sugar from the milk will cause damage to the enamel overnight

How is tooth decay in children treated?

In the very early stage of tooth decay the enamel is able to repair itself given sufficient time between meals.

If your child has a cavity however, treatment aims to restore the tooth with a filling. This can be made out of a range of materials, including silver ceramics, resin, or acrylic acids.