A small black dot appeared on the front teeth of a 3-year-old child, which the parents initially thought was food residue and did not pay attention to. Three months later, Tong Tong began to frequently complain of toothache. According to the doctor's diagnosis, the 'small black dot' has developed into dental caries. Similar situations like Tong Tong are not uncommon in clinical practice. Due to cognitive misconceptions among many parents, many children often miss the golden period for preventing and intervening in dental caries. Today, let's take stock of the truth about children's dental caries and help parents build a strong defense line for their children's oral health. Truth 1: The "culprit" of dental caries is not sugar, but "acid attack". Many people believe that eating too much sugar can easily lead to dental caries. In fact, the real "culprit" that causes dental caries is not sugar itself, but the "acid attack" caused by sugar metabolism in the oral cavity and its duration and frequency. Carbohydrates such as sugar in food, with the assistance of oral cariogenic bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans, will metabolize and produce acidic substances, which gradually corrode the outermost "protective shell" of teeth - enamel. Once enamel is damaged, it cannot repair on its own. If its surface minerals continue to dissolve with acid, forming what we call demineralization, dental caries will quietly appear. After each consumption of sugary foods, the oral environment enters an acidic state that lasts for 20 to 40 minutes. Therefore, compared to eating all at once, consuming sweets multiple times and frequently can cause greater damage to teeth - this means that prolonged exposure to acidic environments can accelerate enamel loss. Protective Guide: It is recommended that children eat moderate amounts of sweets at fixed times and try to avoid dividing them into several servings. After eating sweets or drinking sugary drinks, rinse your mouth or drink some water immediately. After teeth sprout, it is advisable to avoid sleeping with a bottle or nipple. Truth 2: Intimacy has a "gap". Be careful of the spread of love. The main bacteria that cause dental caries are often transmitted through daily intimate contact, especially from parents or other caregivers. For example, caregivers can test the temperature of food with their mouths, cool down food before feeding, share utensils or water bottles with children, kiss children's lips, etc. Studies have shown that if a mother has a higher number of cariogenic bacteria in her mouth, the risk of early dental caries in her child can be nearly doubled. Protective Guide: Parents can prepare exclusive tableware and water bottles for their children to avoid touching their food or pacifiers directly with their mouths. Parents should pay attention to oral health and treat dental caries in a timely manner, which can effectively block the source of infection. When expressing love to children, parents can kiss their cheeks or foreheads instead of directly kissing their lips. Truth 3: Brushing teeth is not a panacea for interdental cleaning. It cannot be ignored that our teeth have four or five surfaces, and daily brushing can clean the occlusal surface, outer surface, and inner surface. However, the adjacent side of the teeth, that is, the interdental position, is difficult to thoroughly clean when brushing. Food residues and bacteria can easily accumulate here, making the gaps between teeth a "disaster area" for dental caries. These types of dental caries are very hidden in the early stages and usually require X-ray examination to detect. By the time parents see the black spots with their naked eyes, obvious cavities have often formed. Therefore, children also need to use dental floss to clean their teeth. The American Dental Association recommends that children should start using dental floss daily when they have two adjacent teeth in contact (usually between the ages of 2-3). Parents should help their children master the complete cleaning process of "brushing teeth+flossing" to eliminate dead corners in oral hygiene. Protective Guide: Use dental floss daily from the age of two or three when adjacent teeth grow. Recommend using children's dental floss for easier operation. Parents should help their children use dental floss until they are around 10 years old and can operate independently and properly. At the same time, parents should regularly take their children for oral examinations to detect oral problems early. Truth 4: Teeth also need "anti caries armor". Fluoride and fissure sealing are two effective means of preventing dental caries in modern oral medicine, providing dual protection for teeth. Fluoride is like a "restorative" for teeth, it can promote tooth remineralization, enhance the acid resistance of enamel, and inhibit bacterial metabolism. It is recommended that children start using fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth eruption, with rice sized toothpaste for children under 3 years old and pea sized toothpaste for children aged 3-6 years old. In addition, professional fluorine coating can be performed every 3-6 months. Many parents are concerned about fluoride poisoning, but in fact, under the standardized operation of dentists, the dosage of fluoride applied is much lower than the poisoning threshold, so parents do not need to worry excessively. Groove closure can also establish a physical barrier for teeth. There are deep and narrow grooves on the occlusal surface of the posterior teeth, which can form blind spots for cleaning. Groove sealing refers to the use of resin materials to seal the grooves on the chewing surface of posterior teeth, forming a smooth surface and blocking the retention of bacteria and food residues. The first permanent molars (also known as "sixth year teeth") that grow in children around the age of 6 will accompany them throughout their lives. It is recommended to promptly seal the pit and fissure after the eruption of the first permanent molar, which can significantly reduce the risk of tooth decay. Protective Guide: Use fluoride toothpaste from the first tooth eruption and regularly receive professional fluoride application. During the critical periods of 3-4 years old (primary molars), 6-7 years old (first permanent molars), and 11-13 years old (second permanent molars), timely examination and implementation of pit and fissure closure should be carried out. Truth 5: Dental caries in baby teeth should not be postponed. It is not "insignificant" and "baby teeth need to be replaced sooner or later, and dental caries do not need to be treated" is a common cognitive misconception. In fact, the health of baby teeth is directly related to the development of permanent teeth, maxillofacial growth, and the overall health of children. Deciduous teeth serve multiple important functions: they occupy space for the eruption of permanent teeth and guide their eruption direction. If deciduous teeth are missing too early, it may cause adjacent teeth to tilt and permanent teeth to be misaligned; It ensures normal chewing function, promotes nutrient absorption and jawbone development; It also affects the clarity of a child's pronunciation and the appearance of their front teeth. In addition, severe caries of primary teeth may cause apical inflammation, damaging the underlying permanent tooth germ, resulting in defects or abnormal color when permanent teeth erupt. Protection guide: Once a child is found to have dental caries, parents should immediately take the child for medical treatment. Even if there is no pain in the area of the child's dental caries, it is necessary to follow the doctor's advice for dental filling or other necessary treatments. If deciduous teeth are missing too early, wearing a gap maintainer can be considered to reserve enough space for permanent teeth to erupt. (New Society)