Early Childhood Caries in Lisle, IL
Affecting children under age 6, early childhood caries (ECC), or baby bottle tooth decay, is the most common chronic childhood disease, 5 times more common than asthma, and it can destroy your child's teeth when left untreated. At Brammeier Family Dental, Drs. Brammeier and Ericson diagnose and treat childhood cavities and coach parents on the habits that keep little smiles healthy from the very first tooth.
What it is
One or more decayed, missing, or filled tooth surfaces on any baby tooth in a child under age 6. This infectious disease can take hold the moment teeth begin to erupt and frequently advances at a rapid pace.
Who it affects
Infants and young children, with the greatest risk among those who drift off with a bottle, breastfeed at will overnight, or take in sugary drinks and snacks frequently.
How we help
Catching decay early, age-appropriate treatment options, fluoride therapy, and parent education covering feeding habits, oral hygiene, and prevention strategies.
Tooth decay in children can be prevented. Schedule your child's dental exam today.
What Causes Early Childhood Caries?
- ECC is an infectious disease, and the bacteria (Streptococcus mutans) can pass from caregivers to children by way of shared utensils or saliva
- Bottle feeding at bedtime: A bottle of milk, juice, or any sugary liquid at sleep time bathes the teeth in sugar for hours
- At-will breastfeeding: Breastfeeding offers many health benefits, but breast milk contains sugar and can add to cavities during nighttime or on-demand feeding once the first tooth erupts
- Frequent sugary snacks and drinks: All-day sippy cups, juice, and sticky snacks keep feeding cavity-causing bacteria
- Parents and caregivers should look after their own oral health too, since lowering a mother's bacteria levels can reduce the child's risk
Effects of Untreated Childhood Cavities
- Severe pain that interferes with eating, sleeping, and daily function
- Tooth loss: losing baby teeth too early can let permanent teeth drift and erupt out of place
- Tooth decay spreading: cavities are contagious and can travel from one tooth to its neighbors
- Speech problems caused by missing or damaged front teeth
- Misaligned permanent teeth that can later call for orthodontic treatment
- Poor self-image: visible decay or missing teeth can chip away at a child's confidence and social interactions
Prevention Is Key
Feeding Habits That Protect Teeth
- Never send your child to sleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or any sweetened liquid. Water only at bedtime
- Avoid letting sugary liquids be sipped at will throughout the day or during sleep
- Keep an eye on breastfeeding after the first tooth erupts, as nighttime and on-demand feeding can lead to cavities
- Move your child to a regular cup by age 1, reserving sippy cups for a brief transition period
- Serve juice only at mealtimes, diluting it with water whenever you can
Nutrition & Oral Hygiene
- Aim for a balanced diet, since meals high in sugar and fermentable carbohydrates fuel decay once the first tooth erupts
- Cut back on between-meal snacking and reach for whole fruits and vegetables instead of sticky or starchy options
- Brush every morning and night from the moment the first tooth appears, using a rice-grain-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste
- Start flossing once teeth touch each other to head off cavities between teeth
- Help your child brush and floss until they are at least 7 years old, and a few children will need a hand for several more years
The habits set now shape a lifetime of oral health. Let us help your child start strong.
Treatment Options
How We Treat Childhood Cavities
- The right treatment hinges on the extent of decay along with the child's developmental level, cooperation, and comprehension
- Drs. Brammeier and Ericson rely on age-appropriate techniques to keep treatment safe and effective for your child
- Depending on severity, options range from fluoride therapy to fillings, crowns, or extraction
- When helpful, advanced behavior guidance such as protective stabilization, nitrous oxide, and sedation may be used
- Should Drs. Brammeier and Ericson recommend general anesthesia, it can create the best conditions for lasting restorations, and every option is reviewed in detail with parents
Preventing Future Cavities
- A child who has had ECC carries a higher risk for future cavities, making ongoing prevention essential
- Sharpen home care with proper brushing and flossing technique
- Stay on the recommended schedule for dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and X-rays
- Add dental sealants to permanent molars as they erupt, since sealants keep bacteria out of the deep grooves
- Book your child's first dental visit by age 1, because children with an established dental home get fewer cavities
Frequently Asked Questions
They do far more than fill a smile temporarily. Baby teeth are essential for chewing, speaking, and holding space for permanent teeth, and when one is lost too early, permanent teeth can drift into the gap and come in crooked. Untreated cavities can also spread to other teeth and cause infections that reach the developing permanent teeth underneath.
Yes. Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria behind cavities, is contagious. It can move from one tooth to another in the mouth and even pass from parent to child through shared utensils or saliva, so treating cavities promptly keeps them from spreading.
The first clues are white spots or chalky patches on the teeth. As a cavity progresses, brown or black spots and visible holes can appear, or your child may complain of pain while eating. Because many cavities cause no pain early on, regular dental exams are what catch them before they turn serious.
Yes, as long as it is supervised. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advises a rice-grain-sized smear of fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth, moving up to a pea-sized amount at age 3. Always watch brushing and teach your child to spit rather than swallow.
Drs. Brammeier and Ericson treat young children often and draw on age-appropriate behavior guidance techniques. Approaches span gentle communication and distraction through nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and sedation for more complex cases, and we talk every option through with parents beforehand.
The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends age 1, or within 6 months of the first tooth appearing. An early visit establishes a dental home, lets us weigh risk factors, and gives parents guidance on feeding, hygiene, and cavity prevention. Learn more about the first dental visit.
Healthy baby teeth lead to healthy permanent teeth. Book your child's dental exam today.
Visit Us
Visit Brammeier Family Dental
Office Hours
Monday11am – 7pm
Tuesday7am – 4pm
Wednesday7am – 4pm
Thursday7am – 2pm
FridayBy Appointment
Sat – SunClosed