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Home For Parents Early Childhood Cavities

Early Childhood Caries
DuPont, WA


Picture of two small boys smiling together after receiving treatment at Children's Dentistry of DuPont in DuPont, WA

What is Early Childhood Caries?



Early Childhood Caries or ECC, also known as baby bottle tooth decay or nursing bottle caries, is defined as the presence of one or more decayed, missing (due to caries), or filled tooth surfaces in any primary tooth in a child less than 6 years of age. ECC can be classified as Severe depending on the extent of tooth decay and age of the child. ECC is a significant chronic disease of childhood resulting from an imbalance of multiple factors over time. At Children's Dentistry of DuPont, we can offer restorative dentistry services to help treat ECC.

What Can I Do to Prevent Early Childhood Caries



To decrease the risk of your child developing ECC, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends a number of professional and at-home preventive measures, including:
•  Avoiding frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, especially in baby bottles or sippy cups
•  Avoiding ad libitum breast-feeding after the primary teeth start to come in and other dietary carbohydrates have been introduced
•  Discontinuing baby bottle use after 12-18months
•  Start oral hygiene practices at home no later than when the first baby tooth comes in
•  Parents should brush their child’s teeth for them twice a day using an age-appropriately sized soft bristled toothbrush and an age-appropriate amount of fluoride toothpaste
•  Professionally applied fluoride varnish treatments and dental sealants at appropriate intervals by a medical or dental provider for children at risk for ECC
•  Establishing a dental home by age 1 to assess caries risk and provide parental education to prevent oral diseases

Protect Your Child’s Teeth Today



Cavities in children are very common and oftentimes easily treatable by a pediatric dentist. However, if left undetected, tooth decay can lead to bigger dental problems, so it is important to schedule routine checkups with our DuPont office. If it’s time for a checkup, or you think your child may have a cavity, don’t wait! Book an appointment online or contact our children’s dentistry practice today. We can help make your child’s most recent cavity their last!

Learn more about Pediatric Dental Care FAQs

Call Children's Dentistry of DuPont at (253) 244-9778 for more information.



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Early Childhood Cavities | Children's Dentistry of DuPont
Early childhood cavities, or caries, is a significant chronic disease of childhood resulting from multiple factors. At Children's Dentistry of DuPont, we can help!
Children's Dentistry of DuPont, 1200 Station Drive Suite 180, DuPont, WA 98327 + (253) 244-9778 + childrensdentistryofdupont.com + 1/29/2025 + Associated Words: pediatric dentist DuPont WA +