Early Childhood Caries

Overview

Early childhood caries is a severe formof dental decay that affects infants and toddlers. It is a chronic, multi-factorial,infectious disease. It should be considered as a symptom of paediatric disorders and lack of adequate care. The cariesis particulary virulent, it develops rapidly, often soon after teeth erupt and it begins on tooth surfaces which areusually only affected to minor extent. The condition is particulary fequent in various minority (racial, cultural orethnic) communities, single parent or low-income families etc. The manifestations include pain, infection, abscessesand chewing difficulties that affect a child’s ability to eat and sleep. It thus has debilitating effect on the development,speech general health and self-esteem of infants. The problem should be addressed rather from the paediatric thandental point of view and the appearance of a single carious lesion an any tooth surface during the first 3 years of lifemust be considered a serious health problem. Early childhood caries is a preventable disease, that can be addressedby targed preventive measures and professinal health invention (provided by dentists as well as paediatricians), andby targeted comunity preventive programs.

Key words:
early chodhood caries, primary teeth, infant nutrition, prevention and therapy.