Tooth decay and tooth discoloration are the most typical dental issues amongst Indian kids. Medical doctors say many mother and father nonetheless search dental remedy solely when the ache begins, by which period the injury is superior and infrequently troublesome to deal with. Medical doctors stress that that is preventable with early intervention and modifications to day by day habits.
burden of illness
The World Well being Group (WHO) estimates that 43.3% of Indian kids between the ages of 1 and 9 have untreated cavities of their major tooth. In an evaluation of greater than 69,000 kids nationwide, it was reported that roughly 46.9% suffered from tooth decay in early childhood. Prevalence exceeds 60% in some areas, particularly amongst preschoolers, highlighting how frequent tooth decay has change into in the course of the early life.
Explaining the foundation trigger, Dr. Ok. Arunkumar, Affiliate Professor, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgical procedure, SIMS Hospital, Chennai, stated tooth decay often happens resulting from a mix of frequent sugar consumption and improper oral hygiene. “Youngsters are uncovered to sugar virtually always, from chocolate, biscuits, packaged juices and even sweetened milk. If you add that to irregular tooth brushing, tooth decay is nearly inevitable,” he says.
When meals particles stay in your tooth, micro organism in your mouth break down the sugars and launch acids that progressively put on away your enamel. “In case you skip brushing or brush your tooth poorly, this course of continues unchecked. Tooth decay begins very early and infrequently progresses sooner than mother and father count on,” says Dr. Arunkumar. He added that the concept child tooth do not require care is each frequent and unsuitable.
JK Reddy, senior pediatric advisor at Apollo Youngsters’s Hospital in Chennai, stated sure day by day habits considerably improve the chance. “Frequent snacking, ingesting sugary drinks all through the day, and ingesting milk with out brushing earlier than mattress are the principle causes of tooth decay,” he stated, stressing that the selection of toothpaste can also be necessary. “Many kids don’t use toothpaste often or use merchandise which can be inappropriate for his or her age. This leads to insufficient fluoride publicity, weakening enamel and making tooth extra vulnerable to an infection.”
Threat components and warning indicators
Not all tooth discoloration in kids is irregular. Dr. Arunkumar defined that when everlasting tooth start to emerge, they typically seem yellower than child tooth. “In lots of circumstances, that is the pure colour of the everlasting tooth,” he stated.
There are occasions when discoloration might point out an underlying downside. Potential causes embrace improper brushing, plaque buildup, sure medicines, tooth damage, and publicity to an excessive amount of fluoride. Dr. Reddy highlighted fluorosis as a priority in areas of India the place fluoride ranges are excessive in groundwater. “In accordance with BIS requirements, the permissible fluoride stage in ingesting water is 1.0 mg/L. Exceeding this in early childhood can result in dental fluorosis, which is irreversible,” he stated. On the similar time, fluoride ranges which can be too low can improve the chance of tooth decay.
Medical doctors emphasised the necessity to coordinate food plan and oral hygiene. Sugary and acidic meals feed plaque-forming micro organism, which produce acids that weaken enamel. Fixed snacking and sipping sugary drinks can maintain your mouth acidic for lengthy durations of time, stopping pure restore. “Consuming sweets every now and then is far much less dangerous than consuming sweets all day lengthy,” Dr. Arunkumar says.
Dr. Reddy added that rare brushing can result in plaque buildup. “Over time, this could result in tooth decay in addition to staining and gum issues,” he stated. Coloration adjustments ought to be checked together with different indicators. “In case your tooth are discolored, tough, or bumpy, they could be indicative of early tooth decay,” says Dr. Arunkumar.
Mother and father ought to see a dentist if the discoloration impacts just one or two tooth, seems brown or grey, or is accompanied by ache, sensitivity, a foul odor, or swollen gums. Dr. Reddy agreed, noting that localized yellowing with bleeding or seen cracks within the gums is extra indicative of illness than regular adjustments.
prevention and care
Specialists emphasize brushing twice a day with an acceptable quantity of fluoride toothpaste, being cautious about brushing at night time, limiting the quantity and frequency of sugary snacks and drinks, having dental checkups each six months, and inspiring mother and father to observe good oral hygiene themselves, as kids are inclined to imitate grownup conduct. “Brushing your tooth at night time is particularly necessary as a result of meals stays in your tooth longer whilst you sleep,” Dr. Arunkumar stated.
Dr Reddy suggested mother and father to oversee extended snacking with display time and embrace calcium-rich meals of their kids’s diets to strengthen enamel.
issued – February 2, 2026 4:09 PM IST
