Early Childhood Caries (ECC): What Is It?

Based on an article published in the Journal of Primary Health Care, CSIRO reveals that ECC is considered present in a child if he or she is younger than 6 and has already developed one or more cavities in their first set of teeth. Alarmingly, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report that approximately two in five (42%) Australian children aged between 5 and 10 years have experienced decay in their primary teeth.

Healthy WA note the following ECC risk factors for infants:

• Falling asleep sucking a bottle filled with sugary liquid
• Falling asleep sucking a dummy dipped in a sweet substance such as honey
• Prolonged breastfeeding (over a year)
• Poor oral hygiene
• No dental check-ups

ECC is almost entirely preventable, and it’s not difficult to do. Here are three easy ways parents can lessen their child’s risk of developing a cavity:

1. Brush twice daily with a toothpaste that contains an age-appropriate amount of fluoride, to protect the teeth from decay
2. Serve healthy foods that don’t contain large amounts of sugar
3. Schedule regular visits to a dental professional

Starting a relationship with a dental professional from an early age is also key. The Australian Dental Association recommends that a child's first dental visit should be by the age of 12 months or when their first tooth becomes visible - whichever happens first.

When detected early, a general dental professional, oral health/dental therapist or paediatric dental professional can fill cavities found in primary (baby) teeth and recommend strategies to avoid recurrence of decay. If extensive work is required, a child may need a general anaesthetic in a hospital setting as young children can find it difficult to cope with the long appointments required to carry out the dental treatment. Cavities can be very painful, so it’s essential to have them treated right away.

Early childhood caries is almost entirely avoidable with the consistent help of parents, carers and dental professionals. A healthy lifestyle and good oral health habits can do wonders to avoid unnecessary disease, pain and expense while helping to ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles.