Caries in Primary Teeth in Children – How to Prevent and Treat It?

2025-03-24

Does Your Child Have Cavities? Learn How to Treat and Prevent Them

Although it might seem that baby teeth "will fall out anyway," their health is crucial for the proper development of the bite and the health of future permanent teeth. Unfortunately, tooth decay in children progresses faster than in adults—35–50% of toddlers between the ages of 2 and 3 already have their first cavities. By preschool age, the problem increases—more than half of four-year-olds are affected, and by age six, nearly every child struggles with tooth decay!

Table of Contents

What Is Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth?
Why Are Baby Teeth More Prone to Cavities Than Permanent Teeth?
Where Does Decay Most Often Occur in Baby Teeth?
What Causes Cavities in Children?
How to Recognize Early Signs of Tooth Decay in Your Child – Tips for Parents
How to Care for Oral Hygiene and Prevent Cavities in Children
The Role of Diet in Preventing Tooth Decay
Methods for Treating Cavities in Baby Teeth
Consequences of Untreated Cavities in Children

What Is Tooth Decay in Baby Teeth?

Tooth decay in baby teeth is a serious issue among young children. It is caused by acid-producing bacteria (such as Streptococcus mutans) that live in dental plaque on the teeth. Sugars from food residue serve as nourishment for these bacteria, and the acids they produce lower the pH in the mouth, initially leading to enamel demineralization and eventually to cavity formation. Untreated tooth decay can result in the premature loss of baby teeth.

Moreover, if left untreated, tooth decay can follow a child into adulthood, affecting their permanent teeth as well. That's why early detection and prevention are essential — more on this later in the article.

Why Are Baby Teeth More Prone to Cavities Than Permanent Teeth?

Although baby teeth look similar to permanent teeth, their structure is quite different, making them much more vulnerable to decay. Their enamel is only half as thick as that of permanent teeth—just 0.3–0.6 mm thick. This means that bacteria and acids can penetrate the deeper layers of the tooth much faster, causing damage. Additionally, the dentin in baby teeth has wider tubules, making it easier for microorganisms to reach the pulp—the tissue that is richly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. The result? Tooth decay in children progresses much more rapidly than in adults—a small cavity can quickly develop into a painful, deep problem.

Where Does Tooth Decay Most Commonly Occur in Baby Teeth?

Primarily in areas that are difficult to clean—namely, in the grooves of the chewing surfaces, on the contact surfaces between the teeth, and around the cervical areas—just above the gum line. These are the spots where dental plaque tends to accumulate, especially if the child frequently snacks on sugary treats and doesn't brush their teeth thoroughly enough.

What Causes Tooth Decay in Children?

Tooth decay is a disease influenced by many factors. As mentioned earlier, its main cause is specific types of bacteria that naturally live in a child's mouth. If favorable conditions for their growth are created, these bacteria can begin destroying the enamel and lead to cavities. This mainly occurs due to poor hygiene and dietary habits. Unfortunately, mistakes made as early as the first months of life can increase the risk of developing this disease. Here are the most common causes of tooth decay in children:

Lack of or improper oral hygiene – inadequate tooth brushing leads to the buildup of dental plaque, which is the main habitat for cavity-causing bacteria.
A diet high in simple sugars – sweets, sugary drinks, fruit juices, snack bars, and white bread provide food for bacteria, which convert it into acids that damage enamel. Sticky products that linger on teeth are especially dangerous.
Frequent snacking and sipping sugary drinks – the more often a child consumes sweet snacks, the longer their teeth are exposed to acids, which promotes cavity formation.
Poor diet during pregnancy and infancy – the buds for baby teeth begin developing in the third month of pregnancy, so deficiencies in calcium, phosphorus, or vitamins in the mother can lead to weaker enamel structure in the child.
Low fluoride content in diet and water – fluoride strengthens enamel, making it more resistant to acid attacks. Its deficiency can accelerate demineralization.
Bacterial transmission by adults – licking pacifiers, sharing utensils, or kissing a child on the lips can transfer cavity-causing bacteria from adults to the child, increasing the risk of infection.
Genetic factors – some children may have a genetically determined higher susceptibility to tooth decay, for example due to the composition and amount of saliva they produce.

How to Recognize the Early Signs of Tooth Decay in Children – A Guide for Parents

Tooth decay in children can develop silently over a long period, which is why it's so important to carefully observe your child's mouth. The first warning sign is a sticky, yellowish-white coating on the teeth — an indicator of lingering plaque, which promotes decay. Over time, discoloration, pain, or sensitivity to cold foods may appear.

Which early signs of tooth decay should concern parents the most?

White, matte spots on teeth – so-called “carious spots” are the first, reversible stage of tooth decay. The chalky white color contrasts with the rest of the tooth. These spots signal enamel demineralization and require immediate attention. This is usually what the beginning of tooth decay looks like.
Darker discoloration – if the spots turn yellow, brown, or black, this means the decay is progressing into deeper layers of the tooth.
Visible cavities – a “hole” in the surface of the tooth indicates that the decay has reached the dentin and a dental visit is necessary.
Sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods – the child may grimace or avoid certain foods.
Toothache – may be occasional or constant. If a child complains of pain, the decay has likely reached the pulp and requires urgent treatment.
Sleep problems and irritability – more severe pain can make falling asleep difficult and cause general crankiness.

How to Take Care of Oral Hygiene and Prevent Tooth Decay in Children

Preventing tooth decay begins with proper oral hygiene from the very first days of a child’s life. Even before the first teeth appear, it’s important to care for the baby’s gums by wiping them with a water-moistened cotton pad or special xylitol wipes. Once the teeth begin to emerge, regular and thorough brushing becomes crucial. So, how should you properly take care of your child’s teeth?

How to Choose a Toothbrush?
Choosing the right toothbrush is essential — an ill-suited brush may irritate the gums or fail to effectively remove plaque. That’s why sonic toothbrushes for children are one of the best options for the youngest users. Thanks to sonic vibration technology, they gently but thoroughly clean the teeth and interdental spaces, minimizing the risk of cavities.

At SEYSSO, we understand the importance of oral hygiene from an early age, which is why we’ve developed sonic toothbrushes tailored to different age groups and children’s needs:

For babies and toddlers (0–3 years): The SEYSSO Baby Penguin sonic toothbrush is a great choice. It performs 16,000 vibrations per minute, effectively removing plaque. Its gentle vibrations also massage the gums, which is helpful during teething. The brush features an illuminated tip that makes it easier for parents to monitor the cleaning process.
For older children (ages 3–7): A great option is the SEYSSO Kids Dinosaur sonic toothbrush, which offers three brushing intensity modes (CLEAN, SOFT, MASSAGE) and performs up to 70,000 sonic movements per minute. It’s also equipped with a two-minute timer that signals a zone change every 30 seconds.The set includes memory memo cards, a puzzle activity booklet, and a tooth brushing calendar, turning daily oral hygiene into a fun and engaging routine.

In addition to brushing teeth, it’s important to clean the interdental spaces, especially once teeth begin to touch each other. This can be done using child-friendly dental floss or oral irrigators, which effectively remove plaque and food debris from hard-to-reach areas.

In our range, you’ll find the SEYSSO Kids Dinosaur Travel oral irrigator, designed specifically with the youngest users in mind.

Having trouble convincing your child to brush their teeth? Check out our article ➤ Trouble Brushing Your Child’s Teeth and learn how sonic toothbrushes can help!

How to choose the right toothpaste for your child?

Choosing the right toothpaste for infants and children isn’t just about flavor — it’s primarily about effective protection against cavities. At SEYSSO, we fully understand the needs of children’s teeth, which is why we created SEYSSO Kids Penguin Toothpaste (0–6 years). It combines a safe formula, proven effectiveness, and a pleasant taste that encourages kids to brush regularly.

It contains an optimal amount of fluoride (1000 ppm) in accordance with recommendations from the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry. Fluoride effectively strengthens enamel and protects it from bacterial acids. Another key ingredient is hydroxyapatite, which helps remineralize and regenerate young enamel, making it more resistant to damage.

Additionally, the delicious fruity flavor of raspberries and blueberries makes brushing a joy, motivating children to maintain daily oral hygiene.

Additional tips for oral hygiene

Brush teeth at least twice a day for 2 minutes.
After evening brushing, your child should not eat or drink anything except water.
For better control, use plaque-disclosing agents, which help verify if teeth are properly cleaned.

Regular dental visits
Regular check-ups with a dentist are an essential part of cavity prevention. It is recommended that a child's first dental visit takes place around 1 year of age. Afterwards, check-ups should be scheduled every 3–6 months, depending on the individual risk of cavities. Early detection of cavities allows for less invasive treatments and prevents more serious dental issues.

The role of diet in preventing cavities

Did you know that diet plays a crucial role in preventing tooth decay? Proper eating habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing this condition.

Tooth-friendly foods

Dairy products – milk, plain yogurt, cheese, cottage cheese, natural kefir, and buttermilk. These contain calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and proteins essential for enamel mineralization.
Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables – carrots, apples, celery. These mechanically clean the surface of teeth and stimulate saliva production, which neutralizes acidity in the mouth.
Protein-rich foods – eggs, lean poultry, and fish are good sources of phosphorus.

Cavity-promoting foods

Sweets – candies, chocolate bars, cakes. These contain high amounts of sugar, which serve as food for cavity-causing bacteria.
Sugary drinks – fruit juices, sodas, sweetened teas. Prolonged contact of these drinks with teeth leads to enamel erosion.
High-carbohydrate snacks – chips, crackers, white bread. Carbohydrates linger on tooth surfaces and are broken down into simple sugars.
Sticky foods – raisins, dried fruits, caramels. They adhere to teeth surfaces and remain in the mouth for a long time.

More about the role of eating habits can be found in our article "The Impact of Diet on Oral Health."

Treatment methods for cavities in baby teeth
Treatment of carious lesions in primary teeth depends on the stage of the disease and the child's age. Modern pediatric dentistry offers a variety of approaches:

Fluoride treatment – used in the early stages of caries, when white spots appear on the teeth. At this stage, progression can still be stopped and reversed. The dentist applies a special fluoride preparation that strengthens enamel and supports its remineralization. Regular fluoride treatment prevents further disease development.
Silver nitrate application – mainly used for caries in baby teeth. Silver nitrate is applied to the decayed dentin. It inhibits bacterial growth and slows disease progression but causes discoloration of the tooth.
Conservative treatment (fillings) – if the caries has already formed a cavity, the decayed tissue must be removed and filled with a restorative material.
Tooth extraction – used only as a last resort when the tooth is severely damaged and cannot be saved. Removing a baby tooth can cause bite problems, so it is always best to preserve the tooth as long as possible.

Consequences of untreated caries in children
Untreated caries in primary teeth can have serious effects on the development of permanent teeth:

Premature loss of baby teeth – can lead to issues with the eruption of permanent teeth, misalignment in the dental arch, and development of malocclusions.
Infection of permanent tooth buds – inflammation from a decayed baby tooth can spread to the underlying permanent tooth bud, causing developmental enamel defects (e.g., hypoplasia).
Tooth shifting – loss of a baby tooth can cause neighboring teeth to shift, reducing space for the permanent tooth and resulting in crowding or impaction.
Chewing function disorders – losing baby teeth early may impair the development of the chewing muscles and the temporomandibular joint.
Speech disorders – premature loss of baby teeth, especially front teeth, can lead to problems with the pronunciation of certain sounds.
Psychological issues – shame caused by damaged teeth can negatively affect a child’s self-esteem and social interactions.