What are signs of early childhood tooth decay?

What does the evidence show for early childhood tooth decay?

• Tooth decay involves mineral loss from enamel after repeated acid exposure. A white spot can be an early change, while a cavity is a hole with permanent structural damage. A dentist must examine a mark rather than assuming every discoloration is decay. 1
• Primary teeth matter for chewing, speech and the space needed by later teeth. Cavities in an infant or toddler are not harmless simply because those teeth will eventually fall out. Dental care should address the current problem as well as the daily routine. 2
• Early decay may cause no symptoms. Increasing damage can cause sensitivity, pain or infection with swelling and fever. The type of dental care depends on how far the process has progressed; brushing alone cannot repair a formed hole. 1
• Use age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste and discuss professional varnish with the dentist. Water fluoride, supplement use and cavity risk should be reviewed together. More toothpaste or unprescribed fluoride drops are not a substitute for examining a suspicious tooth. 3
• A first dental visit belongs after the first tooth appears and by age one, even without symptoms. Establishing care early gives families a place to ask about a new mark before it becomes a painful problem. 4

When should I call my provider about early childhood tooth decay?

Seek urgent dental or medical advice for facial swelling, fever, severe tooth pain or difficulty drinking. Call 911 for trouble breathing, trouble swallowing saliva or rapidly worsening swelling with serious illness. A painless visible tooth change still deserves a dental appointment.