Prevention of Dental

Caries in Infants and

Children
Liz Sutliff, BSN, CCRN
Youngstown State University
Professional Role Development
NURS 7003
 Purpose:

Educate parents and guardians of

infants and children how to properly
care for their teeth and prevent dental
caries.

The material can be learned for those

new to the subject or review for those
that require reinforcement.
 Target Audience
 Parents or guardians of infants and children without dental caries as a
primary prevention resource.

 Parents or Guardians of infants and children with dental caries due to

non-compliance with treatment plans.

 Parents or Guardians of infants and children newly diagnosed with

dental caries.

 Parents or Guardians of infants and children at risk for developing

dental caries.
  Determine the appropriate patient population to
educate on prevention of dental caries.
 Describe the pathophysiology of dental caries.
 Explain the risks of dental caries.
Objective  Educate the patient on appropriate treatment regimens
that may be initiated once a diagnosis is made.

s  Educate the patient on how to manage dental caries at

home.
 Determine the patient knows when to seek immediate
medical attention or when to follow up with their
primary care physician or dentist.
 The learner identifies the definition of dental carries.

The learner will explain how dental caries are formed and
identify risk factors contributing to the process.

Goals The learner will verbalize that dental caries can be prevented.

The learner will verbalize strategies to prevent dental caries.

The learner will verbalize when it is important to seek

immediate medical attention and when to contact their
primary care provider or dentist.
What are dental
caries? Dental Caries are largely preventable but
remain one of the most common chronic
diseases of childhood.

Dental caries are also known as cavities.

 How are Dental Caries Formed?
Dental caries are caused by a breakdown of the tooth enamel. Tooth
enamel is a strong covering that protects the teeth.

The normal bacteria on teeth that help breakdown foods interact with
sugar and produce acids that dissolve the enamel of your teeth.

Having a dry mouth also allows harmful acids to stay on the teeth,

often resulting in enamel breakdown.
Untreated caries can cause pain and
infections that may lead to problems with
eating, speaking, playing, and learning. Effects of
Dental
Untreated caries can turn into an infection Carries on
under the gums, called an abscess. This
infection can also spread to other parts of the Infant
the body and have serious, potentially and Child
deadly, effects.
 Dental caries develop in stages.
 First, white spots begin to form on the
teeth in areas affected, this means that Signs of
the enamel is starting to break down.
 Next, an early cavity appears taking on a
Dental
light brown color. Caries
 Last, the late stages of dental carries are
a darker shade of brown to black.
STAGE 1: WHITE SPOTS—
ENAMEL EROSION

Stages of Dental Caries

If you notice any of these spots developing on your child’s teeth
notify your oral health provider and make an appointment to be
seen as soon as possible!

STAGE 2: EARLY CARIES STAGE 3: LATE CARIES

 Symptoms of Dental
Caries in Children
 The symptoms of dental caries vary from no symptoms
to severe. Often, children don’t know they have caries
until their dentist finds it.

 Pain in the area around the tooth

 Sensitivity to certain foods, such as sweets and hot or

cold drinks

 Bad Breath
 Risks for Dental Caries

Eating and drinking

Family members that sugary substances Those with special
A dry mouth
have cavities (sodas, juice, fruit health care needs
snacks, candy)

Drinking Water that is

Those with braces or
Poor Oral Hygiene not treated with
oral appliances
Fluoride
  Wipe gums twice a day with a soft, clean cloth once in
the morning and before bed
 When teeth come in, brushing teeth twice a day with a
soft, small‑bristled toothbrush and water

Prevention of  See the dentist around the 1st year of life

Dental Caries  If you drink water that is not treated with fluoride, talk
to your dentist or doctor about putting fluoride varnish
in the Infant on your child’s teeth when they appear
 Limit juice consumption to once daily—diluting it with
half water
 Never give infants juice in a bottle—especially at
naptime or bedtime
  Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste
 Floss teeth daily
 Use fluoride mouthwash after brushing teeth
Prevention of  Limit sugary drinks and snacks especially before bedtime
Dental Caries and in between meals

in the Child  Drink tap water that contains fluoride

 Visit the dentist twice yearly for cleanings and follow up
as recommended
 For children with a dry mouth, it is recommended to
hydrate frequently with water and chew/suck SUGAR
FREE hard candies or gum to stimulate saliva production
 How to Brush
Step 1: Place the toothbrush beside the teeth at a 45-
degree angle.

Step 2: Gently brush only a small group of teeth at a

time in a circular motion until the entire mouth is
covered.

Step 3: Brush the outside of the teeth, inside of the

teeth, and the chewing surfaces.

Step 4: Gently brush the tongue to remove bacteria.

 Brushing Tips
 Brush twice daily with a soft bristled toothbrush for at least two minutes—automatic spin
brushes have better results than a simple brush alone. Set a timer if necessary.
 A toothbrush head should be small -- about 1 inch by 1/2 inch -- and should have a
handle suitable for firm grasping. The bristles of the brush should be soft, nylon, and
rounded at the ends.
 Use a pea sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
 Brush in the morning and the evening before bedtime.
How to Floss
•Step 1: Insert the flosser vertically in between teeth.

•Step 2: Guide the floss between your child’s teeth

using a gentle up and down rubbing motion.

•Step 3: Bring the floss up and down, until reaching

the gum line---once at the gums, curve it into a “C”
shape hugging around the tooth making sure to gently
go below the gum line.

•Step 4: Repeat these steps until each tooth that is

touching has been flossed.
 Flossing Tips
 Brushing alone can't remove plaque that is in places that a toothbrush can't reach.
Your child should floss at least once a day for 2 to 3 minutes each time to be most
effective. They may need some help until around 10 years old.
 Flossing should start when your child has 2 teeth that touch. This is often around
ages 2 to 3.
 Pre-threaded flossers allow children to learn to floss with ease.
 Living with Dental Caries
and Treatment Options
 Direct restorations are for smaller cavities. This is when
the cavity is removed by the dentist and a white or silver
filling is placed into the tooth to maintain its texture and
shape.

 Indirect restorations are when the cavity is larger. The

cavity is removed by the dentist and the remainder of the
tooth is covered with a cap to keep its shape and texture.

 Dental sealants are thin coatings that are painted on the

teeth and can that can prevent cavities for many years.
Many schools have dental sealant programs at no cost to
you—contact your school district or dental provider for
more information. Indirect Restoration/Cap
Living with Dental Caries and Treatment
Options Continued
 Extraction is the complete removal of tooth due to the
inability to do any of the above procedures. Home care
varies on the number and sites of extraction. Follow your
dentist or oral surgeon’s recommendations.

 Home care may resume as directed by your provider after

Dental Sealant—fills in
these procedures.
deep fissures of the teeth,
preventing cavities before
 If your child is diagnosed with dental carries treatment is they form.
necessary, but once treated prevention continues to impede
further decay.
  If you are unsure if your water is treated with
fluoride, visit CDC: Does my water have fluoride?

 Make it a point to see a dental provider twice yearly

for early intervention.
 Continue using practices discussed and follow up
with your provider with any questions or concerns.
Prevention is  Monitor your child's teeth and oral hygiene. Notify
Key your oral health provider if you notice any spots on
their teeth.
 If your child is diagnosed with dental carries
treatment is necessary, but once treated
prevention continues to impede further decay.
 References
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/cavities/index.html

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tooth-decay-caries
-or-cavities-in-children

https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/brushing-and-toothpaste-children