Dental
Caries is the most common of all oral diseases, and since the
average individual has his first experience with this disease
in childhood , it is particularly important to deal with it from
the 1st to his 12th year of life. For in these years, the milk
teeth erupt, function, exfoliate and the permanent teeth excluding
the 3rd molars erupt into functional pattern.
For early treatment of dental caries,
it is of utmost importance at what age the child gets his first
dental checkup. It is recommended that between 11/2-2 years of
age, children must have their first checkup before any extensive
cavities are established.
Dental Caries very often appears
as a white chalky area on the enamel. It later softens and then
the tooth structure breaks down. If not treated in the initial
stages, it progresses towards the pulp and will then require extensive
treatment to save the tooth.
 |
Occlusal
Dental Caries |
| Interproximal
Dental Caries |
| Cervical
Dental Caries |
In children, Dentistry is mainly aimed towards prevention
of dental cavities. Here Fissure Sealants are of very great importance.
Sealants are flowable composite resins applied onto surfaces of
suspectible teeth. They smoothen out the fissuies & pits &
prevent food entrapment that causes decay.
Flouride tablets may also
be prescribed in the children over 3 years of age, if drinking
water consumed is not flouridated. The flouride absorbed gets
incorporated into the tooth enamel and makes them less suspectible
to caries.
Page
1 of 1
Last
updated on 10-11-2000
