Home Child Development Red Flag Indicators Cavity Prevention

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Dental – Cavity Prevention

 

Age

Risk Factors

Problem signs … if a child is experiencing any one of the following, consider this a red flag:

Up to 3 years

Prolonged exposure of teeth to fermentable carbohydrates (include formula, juice, milk and breast milk)

  • Through use of bottle, breast, sippee cups, plastic bottles with straws
  • High sugar consumption in infancy
  • Sweetened pacifiers
  • Long term sweetened medication
  • Going to sleep with a bottle containing anything but water
  • Prolonged use of a bottle beyond one year
  • Breastfeeding or bottle feeding without cleaning teeth


Physiological Factors

  • Factors associated with poor enamel development, such as prenatal nutritional status of mother and child, poor prenatal health, and malnutrition of child
  • Possible enamel deficiencies related to prematurity or low birth weight
  • Mother & child’s lack of exposure to fluoridated water
  • Window of infectivity: transference of oral bacteria from parent/caregiver to the child between 19 – 31 months of age, through frequent, intimate contact or sharing of utensils


Other Risk Factors

  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Sibling history of early childhood decay
  • Lack of education of caregivers
  • Lower socioeconomic status
  • Limited access to dental care
  • Deficits in Parenting skills & child management

If there are concerns, contact Dental Hygienist at Interior Health, phone 851-7300