Age

Risk Factors

Problem signs … if a child is experiencing any one of the following, consider this a red flag:

Up to 3 years

Prolonged exposure of teeth to fermentable carbohydrates (include formula, juice, milk and breast milk)

• Through use of bottle, breast, sippee cups, plastic bottles with straws
• High sugar consumption in infancy
• Sweetened pacifiers
• Long term sweetened medication
• Going to sleep with a bottle containing anything but water
• Prolonged use of a bottle beyond one year
• Breastfeeding or bottle feeding without cleaning teeth

Physiological Factors

• Factors associated with poor enamel development, such as prenatal nutritional status of mother and child, poor prenatal health, and malnutrition of child
• Possible enamel deficiencies related to prematurity or low birth weight
• Mother & child’s lack of exposure to fluoridated water
• Window of infectivity: transference of oral bacteria from parent/caregiver to the child between 19 – 31 months of age, through frequent, intimate contact or sharing of utensils

Other Risk Factors

• Poor oral hygiene
• Sibling history of early childhood decay
• Lack of education of caregivers
• Lower socioeconomic status
• Limited access to dental care
• Deficits in Parenting skills & child management

If there are concerns, contact Dental Hygienist at Interior Health, phone 851-7300