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Early Childhood Caries
Prevent and recognise decay in children under six, including white-spot lesions, night feeding risks, and the first dental visit.
Overview
Early childhood caries can begin soon after teeth erupt. Frequent sugar exposure, sleeping with milk or sweet drinks, prolonged unsupervised bottle use, and inadequate fluoride brushing raise risk. Chalky white marks near the gum line can be the earliest sign and are easier to manage before a cavity forms.
Key takeaways
- ✓Start brushing when the first tooth erupts.
- ✓Use a smear of fluoride toothpaste under age three and a pea-sized amount from three to six; supervise and minimise swallowing.
- ✓Avoid putting a child to sleep with a bottle containing milk, formula, juice, or sweetened drinks.
- ✓Arrange a dental visit by the first birthday or within six months of the first tooth.
What you can do
- 1Brush twice daily with a small soft brush.
- 2Offer water between meals and keep sweets and packaged snacks to mealtimes.
- 3Lift the lip monthly and look for white, brown, or broken areas near the gum line.
- 4Do not share spoons or clean a pacifier with an adult mouth.
When to book a dentist
- !White, brown, or black marks appear on a baby tooth.
- !The child avoids food, wakes with pain, or has swelling.
- !Teeth erupt and no prevention plan has been discussed.
Emergency warning signs
- !Facial swelling, fever with dental pain, difficulty swallowing, or a child who is unusually drowsy needs urgent assessment.