Nutrition and Tooth Decay in Children Aged 0-6

In newborn children, the lower and upper front incisors are expected to erupt within 6–9 months, and the complete primary dentition is generally completed by the age of 2.5–3 years. Depending on children’s growth and development, gender, and hormonal activity, teeth may erupt earlier or later than expected.

Dental care becomes important from the moment the first tooth appears in the mouth. Although breast milk is extremely important for a baby’s health, growth, and development, its sugar content — especially when breastfeeding before sleep to help the child sleep comfortably — significantly increases the risk of tooth decay. During sleep, the protective saliva flow decreases, and the sugars in breast milk contribute to the development of cavities. As a result, tooth decay at a very early age has become increasingly common in our country.

After 6 months, the effects of breast milk begin to decrease. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, breastfeeding for one year is considered sufficient, while continuing up to two years has limited additional benefit for the child. It is also recommended to limit breastfeeding to one year in order to reduce the risk of developing harmful habits such as thumb sucking in later years, which may negatively affect oral health. The important point for children who continue breastfeeding for one or two years is to avoid nighttime breastfeeding after the first year and to clean the teeth after breastfeeding using a muslin cloth, gauze, and/or a finger brush without toothpaste. From the age of 2, transitioning to children’s toothbrushes with parental assistance is recommended.

After breastfeeding, bottle feeding and adding sugar, honey, or chocolate powder to milk in order to make it more appealing also pose a significant risk for tooth decay. Teeth should always be cleaned after every meal, or at least rinsed with water if brushing is not possible. Tooth decay can spread like an infectious disease; therefore, parents should avoid feeding their children with spoons or forks they have already put into their own mouths, in order to prevent the transfer of bacteria from parent to child.

Snacks consumed by preschool and newly school-aged children are of great importance. Sugary snacks, fruit juices that may seem harmless, crackers, and chips remain in the mouth for a long time and lower the oral pH level, creating a highly favorable environment for cavities. Therefore, such foods should ideally be avoided. If they are consumed, specific days of the week should be chosen, and children should only be allowed these snacks on those days, followed by thorough tooth brushing.

To protect against tooth decay:

1. Visit your dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups
2. Choose toothpaste suitable for the child’s age (in terms of fluoride content)
3. Receive oral hygiene education from your dentist for proper tooth brushing
4. Brush teeth twice a day for 2 minutes
5. Apply age-appropriate preventive dental treatments