Common "Early Childhood Caries" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Early Childhood Caries

Early childhood caries are otherwise known as nursing bottle caries, baby bottle tooth decay, and night bottle caries. It commonly affects pre-school-aged children. It occurs due to the retention of liquids and foods containing sugar in the mouth for several hours. It is managed by restoration or removal of the carious teeth.

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Please suggest the treatment and medicine for nursing bottle caries.

Query: Hi doctor, My daughter is facing a nursing bottle tooth decay; today, only we identified one teeth. Please guide me for treatment and medicine.  Read Full »


Dr. Mousam Chattopadhyay

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and the attached image (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity). As a specialist, I am here to help you. It is a too early sign of caries. Kindly maintain the oral hygiene of the kid. It is essential to wipe the teeth and tong...  Read Full »

My 4-year-old daughter has toothache with a change in the tooth color. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, My daughter is a 4-year-old, and her tooth was paining and became different in color. We consulted with a dentist, and she said the tooth was infected by bacteria due to breast or bottled milk. Half of the tooth is decayed, and she has pain. Is there a need to fill some paste in it an...  Read Full »


Dr. Priyakhi Borkotoky

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The condition your child is having is called early childhood caries. It is common in children between two and five years, where the upper front teeth are most commonly affected. However, extraction is advised if the child has a severe infection with inflammation and ...  Read Full »

My 3-year-old daughter has minor decay in her front two teeth. What to do?

Query: Hi doctor, My daughter is three years old. She is a sippy cup drinker. She has one cup of milk at night, followed by water the rest of the night. She has minor decay on the front two teeth. What can be done? I do not want those ugly silver caps to be put on her. It is causing her no pain, and she i...  Read Full »


Dr. Asma Parveen

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. Since you are taking a lot of care of her teeth, please ensure that she brushes her teeth twice to prevent further decay. As you mentioned, the decay in her front teeth is not much, so you do not need to go for metallic crowns. This decay ...  Read Full »

How to manage my son’s damaged teeth due to bottle feeding?

Query: Hello doctor, My son is six years old, but his teeth are not good because of his bottle-feeding habit. I consulted the doctor last year. He told me that after six years, all his milk teeth would fall, and he will grow new teeth, but none of the teeth fell. What should I do now?   Read Full »


Dr. Alfiya K Jamal

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is a case of early childhood caries, which is common in bottle-fed babies and others. So, a permanent tooth erupts at six to seven years. It depends on various factors. If you are concerned, you can undergo removal of all the milk teeth so it will allow the erupti...  Read Full »

My 2-year-old daughter is having some problems with her front teeth. Kindly help.

Query: Hi doctor, My two year old baby girl has some problem in her four teeth. Both the upper and lower front teeth is paining now. Please give your suggestion. What can we do now?  Read Full »


Dr. Paras Angrish

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. A two year old may get a problem in the upper teeth because of cavities, which we say as nursing bottle caries or early childhood caries. Please tell if there is associated swelling or pus discharge? And if possible, please post a picture of the teeth. If the issue is p...  Read Full »

Why does my 2-year-old kid have tooth discoloration that is spreading to other teeth?

Query: Hello doctor, My 2-year-old kid has teeth discoloration that is spreading to the other teeth. I am not sure whether it is decay. Kindly advise.   Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern and would be happy to help. The condition is called early childhood caries that occurs due to a lack of proper brushing during the first two years of life after breastfeeding. I suggest you brush your child's teeth with a kid's toothpaste t...  Read Full »

Why are there stains in upper teeth of baby?

Query: Hello doctor, My baby girl is 17 months old and started showing some stains on her top teeth. They also look a bit transparent in the part not stained. She is on Formula milk for a few months and was breastfed before that and also was late in eating. I am just worried that those stains might be a s...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The stains seem to be the onset of early childhood caries which usually starts on the four upper front teeth due to improper brushing (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Try to brush at least two times after feeding. If possible, wipe the front teeth af...  Read Full »

Why are my son's upper four teeth look rough and crumbling?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a very concerned father of a 14 months old boy. His first six teeth came in, but the top four teeth look quite rough and are crumbling. His bottom two teeth seem fine. He is still almost exclusively breastfed, as he does not like to eat food, and seldom opens his mouth. I believe ...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen the attached photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity). The upper front teeth show early childhood caries lesion resulting in decay. You need start giving him other semi-solid food and reduce exclusive breastfeeding. After every breast...  Read Full »

What are the steps that should be taken to prevent spreading of early childhood caries?

Query: Hi doctor, I think my 21-month-old kid might have dental caries. I think my daughter has an early childhood caries. She has brown spots in the front four teeth at the back and a hole on one front tooth. We brush her teeth twice daily so I have no idea how this has happened.  Read Full »


Dr. Ummah Mohammad

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The picture you have sent is not clear (attachment removed to protect patient identity), but yes early childhood caries is common in infants. I understand your concern because you are taking good care by brushing twice. For now, I will suggest the following. 1. If...  Read Full »

Is it normal for the primary molar to get chipped into pieces?

Query: Hello doctor, I had an experience with a tooth as a child that I have never received an answer. My baby teeth were always kept pretty clean and well taken care of but this one incident happened where one tooth literally disintegrated in a matter of seconds. I was sucking on a sucker and noticed tha...  Read Full »


Dr. Beryl F

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query and understand your concern. When did it happen (at what age)? How many molars? Any history of bottle feeding? Diet history? History of dental checkups and dental treatments had during that period? More history of the details would hel...  Read Full »

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