Tooth Decay (Rotten Teeth) In Children: Causes And Treatment

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Imagine eating food, talking, or smiling without teeth. Teeth are essential since they make our smiles appealing and play an important role in the digestion process. Teeth also affect our speech and may influence its development in childhood.

Tooth decay (also called cavities or caries) refers to the tooth’s damage due to the acid produced by decay-causing mouth bacteria. The condition is common in children up to 19 years of age. If left untreated, tooth decay can cause pain, bad breath, and tooth loss.

Read on to learn the causes of tooth decay, its symptoms, and the correct brushing techniques to keep teeth healthy.

How Does Tooth Decay Happen?

The development of tooth decay is a gradual process, and below are its salient features (1).

Unclean teeth and sticky food provide an environment suitable for the bacteria to multiply.
These bacteria form colonies and release acid into the teeth.
The acid damages the tooth enamel, which develops tiny cracks.
Bacteria grow within these cracks, release more acid, and create deeper cracks in the teeth.
Eventually, the cracks begin to show brown to black discoloration, which indicates decay.
When the cracks are in the enamel (outermost layer), there is no pain. However, when the bacteria reach the dentin (inner layer next to enamel), they cause teeth sensitivity. If bacteria reach the pulp (innermost part of the tooth with blood and nerve supply), it can lead to severe pain, swelling, and even bleeding.

Is Tooth Decay A Common Problem?

According to the CDC, dental caries is a common chronic disease among children between the ages of six and 19 years (2). Tooth decay is the second most common disorder among children after the common cold (3).

Signs And Symptoms Of Tooth Decay In Children

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Here are some signs and symptoms of tooth decay in children (4).

Black spots and lines over the teeth

Bad breath or a foul smell from the mouth

Food lodgment between two teeth

Visible holes in the teeth

Swelling near the teeth

Tooth sensitivity, especially when eating cold and hot food

Pain while chewing food

Causes Of Tooth Decay

There are many causes that can lead to bacterial growth and tooth decay (5).

General causes

Poor brushing leads to unhygienic oral conditions.
Eating sticky foods, such as chocolates, could increase the risk of dental caries. Such foods cling to the teeth and provide favorable conditions for bacterial growth.
Eating acid-rich foods, such as processed foods and soda.
Harsh brushing could cause abrasion lines on the teeth, which are conducive to food adhesion.
Unhealthy gums and plaque on the teeth can cause bacteria to grow, causing acid to attack the tooth structure.
Misaligned teeth could lodge more food particles, increasing the risk of bacterial propagation.
Dry mouth also helps bacteria to accumulate, leading to tooth decay. Dry mouth could occur due to poor fluid intake, medications, and some medical conditions.
Bruxism is a condition where teeth are eroded by excessive grinding action. Erosion promotes the formation of holes, which provide spaces for bacteria.

Early childhood caries

Incorrect bottle-feeding and breastfeeding can cause the teeth to have prolonged exposure to milk, increasing the risk of dental caries.
Babies who sleep with bottles can have milk pool in their mouths for a long time, thus increasing the risk of bacterial growth.
Falling asleep with a pacifier with a sweetened nipple (6).
Not paying attention to oral hygiene and brushing early in childhood (7).

Complications Of Tooth Decay

The following are the complications of untreated tooth decay (8).

Severe pain that interferes with chewing
Pus formation, abscess, and swelling
Tooth loss
Incorrect teeth alignment due to premature loss of decayed teeth
Infection and pus may flow into different parts of the mandible leading to masticator space infection
Masticator space infections may spread to the brain and cause meningitis (9)
Cellulitis where the skin and other tissues inside the mouth become infected
Infected dental cysts (10)

Diagnosis Of Tooth Decay

A dentist diagnoses tooth decay through the following methods (11).

An X-ray of the teeth can determine the extent of dental caries.
Percussion of the tooth. The dentist taps the teeth to identify the infected tooth and the degree of tooth damage.
Using blue light for identifying caries. Blue light helps diagnose the developing cracks in teeth.
Probing the tooth to determine the firmness of its roots.
Intraoral cameras help determine the extent of tooth decay.
The white light fluorescence technique helps identify decay by illuminating the tooth. Decayed parts often appear darker than the rest of the tooth.
CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) is a cone-shaped X-ray used to capture 3D images of teeth and surrounding tissues.
A laser-based endoscope could be inserted into the mouth to detect the presence of tooth decay.

Treatments For Tooth Decay

The treatment depends on the extent of tooth decay and complications. The following are the various treatment options that could be considered for tooth decay in children.

Caries removal and tooth fillings. The decayed part of the tooth is removed and replaced by filling containing dental adhesives, such as silver amalgam.
Root canal treatment. It is commonly used in cases where the decay extends as far as the root of a tooth.
These are the first-line drugs to treat dental infections. Amoxicillin and clavulanate are the most commonly used drugs to treat dental problems.
Abscess drainage. It can be performed when there is excessive pus formation, which cannot be cured with antibiotics alone.
Teeth scaling (cleaning) and polishing. Scaling is usually done with an ultrasonic scaler, but for highly sensitive teeth, hand scaling is required. Polishing helps to smoothen the tooth surface so that food particles do not stick to it.
Removal of cysts. Cysts require surgical removal and are usually followed by root canal treatment.
Removal of broken root pieces of the tooth. It is important to remove these roots as they will continue to decay and accumulate pus at their ends.
Extraction of damaged teeth. It is done to remove the source of infection and prevent further spread of the infection.
Crown placement over the tooth. A root canal treated tooth needs protection while performing its functions. It is achieved by placing a crown or tooth cap on top of the affected tooth.
Dentures to compensate for tooth loss due to decay. If a tooth is removed due to decay, it is replaced with a denture to maintain optimal chewing function.
Dental pit and fissure sealants. It can be used in children who are prone to caries.
These are used to avoid dental erosion caused by problems, such as bruxism.
Orthodontic treatments. It can align the teeth to reduce the chances of dental caries.
Fluoride treatments. The most common clinical application is fluoride gel and fluoride toothpaste (1). Adding fluoride to drinking water is a way to consume fluoride.

Prevention Of Tooth Decay

There are many ways to maintain healthy teeth and gums (2).

Brush your teeth regularly twice a day.
Gargle with water after every meal.
Clean between the teeth using dental floss.
Avoid eating sticky, sugar-rich, and acid-rich foods (such as chocolates, biscuits, chips, and cold drinks).
Replace toothbrush every three months.
Use a soft bristle brush if your tooth enamel is prone to erosion.
Do not apply excessive pressure on the teeth when brushing.
Use fluoridated toothpaste. If a person lives in an area rich in fluoride in drinking water, the percentage of fluoride consumed by other methods should be monitored (1).
Visit the dentist for regular check-ups. This can be done every six months to diagnose new caries formation.
Choose sugar-free medications and mouthwash.
Treat conditions such as misaligned teeth and bruxism in a timely way

Brushing Technique To Teach Kids

The following brushing techniques can help maintain optimal oral hygiene and prevent tooth decay in children.

Hold the brush at a 45° angle to the teeth.
Brush three teeth at a time.
Use pea-sized toothpaste.
The brushing action should be round. The poem “spin up and down” can be used to teach the correct brushing action.
Drink water after eating and gargle after each meal.
Help children brush their teeth until they are six years old

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can tooth decay be reversed?

When dental caries is in the enamel layer, fluoride treatment, and good oral hygiene can reverse dental caries to a certain extent. Once the enamel layer is destroyed due to caries, it cannot be reversed (1).

2. Do milk teeth (primary/deciduous/baby teeth) decay need treatment?

Yes, it is important to treat baby teeth. Milk teeth need treatment because dental caries can cause pain, irritation, discomfort, and fever in young children. If the milk teeth are left untreated, they can cause caries in the permanent teeth that form below them, leading to permanently damaged teeth (12).

Every organ plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy body. Teeth are important for chewing, speech, and aesthetics. Each tooth has an essential function, and it could be difficult to live without any one of them. Therefore, children should be taught to take care of their teeth from early childhood. The right oral hygiene and regular visits to the dentist can prevent tooth decay and keep your child’s smile bright and healthy.