What are the dangers of tooth decay in children’s deciduous teeth?

Tooth decay, also known as caries, in children's deciduous teeth is often related to poor diet. For example, some children like to eat sweets and do not pay attention to oral hygiene, which often leads to tooth decay. Tooth decay is very harmful to children's growth and development, and they are prone to infectious diseases, nephritis, sepsis, etc., which will also have an adverse effect on children's future life and work.

1. Affect growth and development.

Due to the pain of tooth decay and the early loss of deciduous teeth, the chewing function is reduced and the gastrointestinal digestion and absorption are weakened, resulting in malnutrition of the body and affecting growth and development.

2. Cause infectious diseases.

When children's dental caries cause periapical infection, it often becomes an infection focus, causing systemic infection. Related diseases include decreased vision, arthritis, nephritis, myocarditis, long-term low fever, etc.

3. Induce diseases

Root granulomas, cysts, and pulp infections caused by caries can become foci of infection. When the body's resistance is reduced due to excessive fatigue, colds, etc., it can induce nephritis, rheumatic fever, tonsillitis, impetigo, scarlet fever, sepsis, etc. Studies have shown that 81% of children with deep caries, residual roots, and tooth abscesses have local lymphadenopathy, especially the submandibular lymph nodes. After caries treatment, 70% of enlarged lymph nodes can disappear.

4. The oral temperature of children with dental caries is higher than that of normal children

The total white blood cell count in the blood increases, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate increases, the red blood cell count decreases, the hemoglobin decreases, and the serum total protein changes. After tooth decay is treated, it returns to normal, but the total serum protein does not change much in the short term. Therefore, when a child has unexplained low fever, anemia, increased white blood cell count and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate, it may be advisable to conduct an oral examination first.

5. Cause psychological barriers.

Infancy is the period when children learn language, and complete deciduous teeth help children master correct pronunciation. Decayed and early loss of deciduous teeth can cause children to have unclear pronunciation. Severe caries in the deciduous front teeth area make some children shy to speak, which is very detrimental to the children's psychological development.