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How to avoid dental decay in Children?
Dental decay or caries is by far the commonest disease of teeth. No one 
knows for sure as to what actually causes it. Experts believe that heredity 
plays some role. Nutritional inadequacy seemingly plays a part. What, I 
believe, matters most in its causation is the excessive use of sugar. Add to 
it the bad dental hygiene – that is the child’s carelessness to brush his 
teeth regularly so that particles of food remain clung to the teeth or 
between them.
The food particles lead to caries by excessive production of lactic acid by 
the bacteria which feed on sugar and starch. This acid dissolves the outer 
covering of the teeth, producing small holes or cavities. The cavities allow 
further lodging of the food particles which means greater bacterial growth 
leading to further production of lactic acid and enlargement of cavities and 
further destruction of teeth. A vicious circle is set up.
The worst offender among various sugar foods are candies, chocolates, 
toffees, lollipops, cookies, crackers, dry fruits and the like – anything 
sugary that sticks to the teeth. A dummy containing a sweet stuff or 
dipped in it is also very damaging to the child’s teeth.
So, remember not to encourage the child to go in for sweets day in and 
day out. The sugar provided by fruits such as apple is dilute and is washed 
away easily. It may, in fact, help to cleanse the teeth. In any case, make 
sure that debris does not remain clung to the teeth. It may not be possible 
to brush the teeth after every eating session, but it is certainly not difficult 
to rinse the mouth properly.
Do not delay to see the dentist if the child complains of a sensation of cold 
after taking a cold drink or ice cream, if he has toothache or if you detect a 
mark of decay in a tooth. It is of advantage to get filling done in a cavity 
irrespective of whether it is a temporary or permanent tooth. Do not ignore 
a bad temporary tooth. It may have to be removed if not cared for on time. 
That is likely to cause eruption of the permanent tooth in an undesirable 
position.
A special type of caries seen in bottle-fed infants is called “nursing bottle 
caries” or “baby bottle tooth decay”.
Dental overcrowding can be checked
Overcrowding of teeth looks dirty. It makes the teeth more vulnerable to 
collection of food particles and thus eventually to dental decay.
It is advisable to have a regular dental check-up of the child after the 
age of three years. A visit to the dentist every six months is quite in 
order. Not only will he find out and fill if any cavity is formed, he will also 
be able to check any malocclusion of teeth. Remember, today 
malocculsion can even be corrected.
Meet With Expert
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themotherchild.com
Copyright @ Dr Suraj Gupte, MD, 
Chairman, Children’s Health Institute™
A Pediatric Education Network Foundation 
Initiative
The Chief of our panel of experts, Dr. Suraj 
Gupte, MD, FIAP, FSAMS (Sweden), 
FRSTMH (London), hails from the alumni of 
world-renowned Postgraduate Institute of 
Medical Education and Research, (PGI 
Chandigarh) India. At present, he 
is the Chairperson, Pediatric Education 
Network foundation and also Emeritus 
Dr Suraj Gupte, MD Professor & Head, Postgraduate 
Chairman, Children’s Health DInestpitaurttem™ent of Pediatrics, MMC/ General 
A Pediatric Education Networakn Idni tSiautpiveer-specialty Hospitals, South 
India. Dr Gupte occupies a pride of 
place for outstanding contribution as 
pediatric educationist, author, 
researcher and innovator globally.