Airmen raise awareness of importance of early childhood dental health

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Demarris Rivera
  • 60th Dental Squadron
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Early childhood caries is a form of uncontrolled caries found in very young children who routinely have been given a bottle when going to sleep or who have experienced prolonged breastfeeding habits. In the past, ECC was known as baby bottle tooth decay, bottle rot or prolonged nursing habit.

"Caries, also known as cavities, are the most prevalent health problem of children and can easily be prevented," said Capt. (Dr.) Kimberly May, 60th Dental Squadron general dentist. "The most significant preventative measures are to educate parents on the caries process, proper oral hygiene practices and the importance of routine dental visits."

According to May, there are more than 400 different types of bacteria in the mouth by the time adolescence is reached. Streptococcus mutans is one of the major players involved in the cause of caries. When a baby drinks milk, formula or juice, the bacteria turns the sugars from the sweet liquids into an acid which covers the tooth surface.

In chemistry, pH is a measure of the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution. The pH balance of the oral cavity before drinking sweet liquids remain at a neutral state, 7.0 pH, but after drinking these liquids the pH balance decreases to 4.5 to 5.5 pH, creating an acidic environment. This acidic environment aids in bacterial growth and metabolism.

"Putting a baby to sleep using a bottle with sweet liquids, breastfeeding or a pacifier dipped in honey can cause the acid to sit on the teeth for long periods of time," explained Tech. Sgt. Kristine Cloutier, 60th Dental Squadron Orthodontic Element NCO in charge.

"The length of time a tooth is exposed to acids greatly increases the chance of caries development, so a child should be discouraged from walking around with a bottle or sippy cup."

According to Sergeant Cloutier, there are several methods for the prevention of early childhood caries:

 Substituting sweet liquids with water;
 Trading out the bottle with a cup by the age of one;
 Never dipping a pacifier in sugary substances;
 Cleaning a baby's gums with a clean piece of gauze or towel,
 Begin brushing when the first tooth appears and begin flossing when all primary teeth erupt usually around two years old.

"Never clean a pacifier by mouth or share eating utensils because gum disease and caries-causing bacteria can be transmitted from your mouth to your child's," Cloutier said.

Finally, make sure your child's first dental visit is by six months or after their first tooth appears and no later than their first birthday. Before taking your child to their first dental appointment, prepare them by reading a book or showing them a video on first dental visits.

"Another way to make their first dental visit a happy experience is to try not to talk about your own dental visits in a negative way," May said. "The dentist will discuss several factors to aid in proper oral health care including tooth developmental milestones, nutritional counseling, oral hygiene and caries prevention, fluoride information, trauma prevention and habits and functional behaviors."

If you ever detect a dark spot or lesion on your child's teeth or any other abnormal lesion, contact your dentist or the Arthur J. Sachsel dental clinic at 423-7001 as soon as possible.