These are anterior caries in the pre-school child, due to prolonged and improper feeding habits.
Causes
- Frequent and prolonged consumption of fluid containing fermentable carbohydrates from a bottle, feeder cup, or on demand nightly breast feeding after 15 months of age
Clinical features
- Rapid progression of decay commencing labially and quickly encircling the teeth
- Teeth are affected in order of eruption
- Lower incisors are rarely affected as they are protected by the tongue during suckling and directly cleansed by
secretions from sublingual and submandibular salivary glands
MANAGEMENT
- Discontinue night feeding
- Gently brush teeth with a toothpaste approved for children (avoid swallowing)
- Build-up of the teeth should be done using composites to restore shape and function
- Disc affected teeth interproximally to create self cleansing areas
- Regular fluoride applications
Prevention
- Educate care taker to avoid frequent on-demand liquids at night including breastfeeding, after 15 months