Cavities in baby teeth can cause pain, infections, and problems eating, speaking, or doing everyday activities. If a cavity is left untreated, the infection can even affect the permanent tooth developing underneath.
The image shows the mouth of a child approximately 5 years old, with several dark areas on their teeth. When some people see images like this, they tend to comment: “They’re baby teeth; they’re going to fall out anyway”.
However, the fact that they are temporary does not mean they do not need care. Baby teeth help children chew and speak, and they also maintain the space permanent teeth need to come in properly.
The development of cavities during childhood may be related to various factors, including diet, oral hygiene, exposure to fluoride, and other risk factors.
So here’s a question to discuss: when a young child has several cavities, is it the child’s responsibility, the responsibility of the adults caring for them, or both?