What should I do if my three-year-old baby has tooth decay? ——A must-read prevention guide for parents
In recent years, the problem of tooth decay among children has become increasingly prominent, especially among younger children. Tooth decay in a three-year-old baby not only affects chewing function and nutrient absorption, but may also cause hidden dangers to the development of permanent teeth. The following are solutions and structured data compiled based on hot topics across the Internet in the past 10 days to help parents respond scientifically.
Common causes of tooth decay in one- and three-year-old babies

| Cause classification | Specific performance | Data proportion |
|---|---|---|
| eating habits | Frequent night feeding and high-sugar snacks | 42% |
| Insufficient cleaning | Not brushing teeth regularly and not using fluoride toothpaste | 35% |
| genetic factors | Enamel dysplasia | 15% |
| Others | Oral flora imbalance and drug effects | 8% |
2. Processing steps recommended by authoritative organizations
1.Seek medical examination immediately: Decay in deciduous teeth develops quickly and requires treatment within 72 hours to avoid spreading to the pulp.
2.Professional treatment options:
| Degree of tooth decay | treatment plan | Fee reference |
|---|---|---|
| Superficial caries | Fluoride coating | 50-200 yuan |
| Medium caries | resin filling | 300-600 yuan |
| deep caries | Root canal treatment of deciduous teeth | 800-1500 yuan |
3.Home care essentials:
• Use fluoride toothpaste (500-1100ppm) and brush twice a day
• Quit the habit of breastfeeding at night and drink water from a sippy cup instead
• Oral examination every 3 months
3. Answers to the top 5 questions that parents are most concerned about
| question | Professional answer |
|---|---|
| Do decayed deciduous teeth need filling? | Must be treated, otherwise it may lead to tooth germ infection of permanent teeth |
| What should I do if my child does not cooperate with treatment? | You can choose one-time treatment or behavioral induction management under general anesthesia |
| Which is better, fluoride or fissure sealant? | Fluoride is applied to protect the whole teeth, and pit and fissure sealing is used to target molars. It is recommended to use them together. |
| What foods are likely to cause tooth decay? | Sticky candies>carbonated drinks>biscuits>juice (decreasing harm) |
| Can an electric toothbrush be used? | Available for ages 2 and above, choose the soft fur model for children |
4. Golden Rules for Preventing Tooth Decay
1.Diet management: Establish the "3-2-1" principle
• Maximum 3 snacks per day
• Rinse mouth within 2 minutes after meals
• Fasting 1 hour before going to bed
2.Cleaning tool selection:
| age | Recommended tools | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 years old | Silicone finger toothbrush | Parents assist with cleaning |
| 2-3 years old | Small head soft bristle toothbrush | Rice-sized fluoride toothpaste |
| 3 years and above | children's electric toothbrush | pea size toothpaste |
3.Regular professional protection: Professional fluoride application every six months (can reduce the risk of tooth decay by 37%), and pit and fissure sealing is recommended after 3 years old.
5. Latest research data reference
| research institute | findings | Application suggestions |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Stomatological Association | The caries rate in deciduous teeth of 3-year-old children reaches 50.8% | The first oral examination should be completed before the age of 1 year |
| AAPD (USA) | Using fluoride toothpaste can reduce dental caries by 24% | Start using it from the first tooth |
| WHO | There are over 500 million untreated cavities in children under 5 worldwide | Emphasis on the importance of early intervention |
Parents are reminded: Do not ignore treatment because "the baby teeth will change". Severe tooth decay in the baby teeth will lead to problems such as misalignment of the permanent teeth and abnormal jaw development. It is recommended to download professional apps such as "Tooth Love Day" to track children's oral health status and create exclusive dental care files.
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