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How to manage decayed teeth in a 4-year-old child?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My son has a decayed tooth from the age of two. After slipping down accidentally, one of his teeth broke in half. Day-by-day adjacent teeth are also getting decayed. However, when I consulted a local doctor, he said that these were milk teeth, and there was nothing to worry about. But, his gums are weak. He is 4 years old. Please advise.

Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Mousam Chattopadhyay

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mousam Chattopadhyay is a Dental Surgeon with expertise in restorative dentistry, root canal treatment, cosmetic procedures, and minor oral surgeries. He is skilled in smile designing, dental implants, and preventive dental care for patients of all age groups. Dr. Chattopadhyay is committed to providing precise, pain-free, and patient-focused care, ensuring optimal oral health, functional restoration, and confident smiles through personalized treatment plans.    

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

I went through your query, and the attached image (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity). I am very sorry about your kid's discomfort. Caries are present in the lower right deciduous first and second molars (milk tooth). Kindly let me know if the kid is on a bottle feed. As you have mentioned, the kid had an injury and broke the tooth. Please tell me whether the tooth is mobile. There is a great possibility of food lodgement in the broken tooth. Food accumulation might result in caries of the tooth adjacent to it. Kindly mention if any other tooth on the other side of the jaw or on the opposite jaw has caries. I suggest you do the following:

  1. First and foremost, cleaning is essential.
  2. If he is feeding on a bottle at night before bed, it must be strictly avoided.
  3. Avoid sticky or sweet foods, such as chocolate and chips as much as possible. Train the child to rinse his mouth whenever he consumes such foods
  4. Use Kidodent toothpaste (Sodium Fluoride, Triclosan, and Xylitol) and Cheerio (Sodium monofluorophosphate) oral gel.
  5. Teach him to brush twice daily.
  6. Syrup Ibuprofen can be given, if needed.

Get the infected tooth filled. A temporary filling will be enough since it is a milk tooth, but it has to stay there till 10 to 12 years of age as the permanent tooth will erupt only during that period.

I hope it was helpful. Kindly reply to the basic queries for further instructions. I pray for the kid to stay healthy.

Thank you.

The Probable causes

The probable cause could be due to food lodgement or daily food habits. Kindly reply to the queries, as it will help in finding the exact cause.

Probable diagnosis

The probable diagnosis is irreversible pulpitis in the lower right teeth.

Treatment plan

Temporary fillings are needed. Let me know if the tooth is mobile or painful. I will assist immediately.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At August 29, 2020
Reviewed At December 31, 2024

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mousam Chattopadhyay is a Dental Surgeon with expertise in restorative dentistry, root canal treatment, cosmetic procedures, and minor oral surgeries. He is skilled in smile designing, dental implants, and preventive dental care for patients of all age groups. Dr. Chattopadhyay is committed to providing precise, pain-free, and patient-focused care, ensuring optimal oral health, functional restoration, and confident smiles through personalized treatment plans.    

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Mousam Chattopadhyay is a Dental Surgeon with expertise in restorative dentistry, root canal treatment, cosmetic procedures, and minor oral surgeries. He is skilled in smile designing, dental implants, and preventive dental care for patients of all age groups. Dr. Chattopadhyay is committed to providing precise, pain-free, and patient-focused care, ensuring optimal oral health, functional restoration, and confident smiles through personalized treatment plans.    

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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