Why is Early Childhood Tooth Decay a Concern and How Can it be Prevented?

What is Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

Early Childhood Tooth Decay (also known as Early Childhood Caries) occurs when cavities develop in the baby teeth of a child under 6 years old.

What Causes Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

Babies are born without the germs (bacteria) that cause cavities. These germs are passed from parents, caregivers, and siblings to babies by kissing, sharing utensils like spoons, or cleaning a soother with their mouth. The more germs the caregiver has, the more germs can be passed to the baby.

A child can develop Early Childhood Tooth Decay under the following conditions:

🪥 The mouth and teeth have not been cleaned properly - plaque is a sticky layer of germs (bacteria) on gums, the tongue, or teeth. When plaque and sugar mix, an acid is made that harms the teeth for 20 minutes after eating or drinking.

🍭 Eating Sugary Foods & Drinks – Whether it is a sugary snack or a bottle with milk or juice, eating or drinking sugary foods and drinks often during day or throughout the night gives acids more time to harm the teeth

🦠 Increased Germs (Bacteria) – A child with more germs is at more risk for cavities.

🦷 Weaker Teeth – Some children have a softer outer layer to their teeth (enamel), making their teeth at more risk for damage.

What Does Early Childhood Tooth Decay Look Like?

Early Childhood Tooth Decay starts with a white chalky area along the gum line of the front top teeth. If not taken care of, these areas can turn to brown areas of decay. Areas of decay can lead to painful infections (abscesses) and the breaking down of teeth into small pieces that that look like stumps.

University of Manitoba (2021)

Consequences of Early Childhood Tooth Decay?

Early Childhood Tooth Decay can cause:

😭 Tooth pain due to infection (abscesses) 

🗣️ Trouble with speaking clearly if teeth are lost too soon.

🍎 Trouble with eating healthy foods like fruits and veggies.

🚑 Severe tooth decay can lead to dental surgery with general anesthesia

Indigenous children receive dental surgeries with general anesthesia 15 times more frequently than the general Canadian population.

What is the Severity of Early Childhood Tooth Decay in Indigenous Communities?

Indigenous children face higher rates and earlier onset of Early Childhood Tooth Decay due to challenges in accessing dental care.

• The numbers show that:

  
  

  • Almost 9 out of 10 Indigenous children (ages 3–5) experience early childhood tooth decay.

  • 1 in 4 have severe tooth decay by this age.

  • In some communities, 9 out of 10 people have untreated cavities.

  • Indigenous children tend to get cavity-causing bacteria earlier than non-Indigenous children, putting them at higher risk for tooth decay.

Childhood Tooth Decay is the most common disease in children, but it can be prevented!

Holve et al. (2021); Saskatchewan Dental Therapists Association (2020); Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition Inc. (2020) Cavities are Contagious; Saskatchewan Oral Health Coalition Inc. (2020) Your child's dental health and you; Saskatchewan Prevention Institute (2025); University of Manitoba (2021); Government of Saskatchewan (2011)