EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES(ECC)

 WHAT IS EARLYCHILDHOOD CARIES:

It is a form of dental caries seen soon after tooth eruption,which progresses rapidly leaving detrimental impact on the dentition. It is also known as "nursing bottle caries "due to its frequent association with inappropriate feeding habits.

ETIOLOGY/ CAUSE:

1. CARIOGENIC MICRO-ORGANISM: Commonly involved micro-organisms are Streptococcus mutans, & Streptococcus sobrinus, the reservoi r of which is the oral cavity. The number of organisms increases with the number of erupted teeth & with age. Lactobacilli is also said to play a role in the progression of caries.

2.CARIOGENIC SUBSTRATE( dietary factors): Diet plays an important role in ECC.  Feeding high carbohydrate diet ,bottle feeding during bedtime or sleeping increases the risk of initiation of caries                                   

3 SUSCEPTIBLE TOOTH( host factors): Proper oral hygiene to be maintained. Saliva has a  protective role against caries. Feeding of high sugary food at night increases the initiation of caries because of the decreased salivary flow.

CLINICAL FEATURES:

1. Cavities maybe visible as early as 10 months of age

2. Initially seen as white lines/spots on maxillary incisors .These white areas will rapidly breakdown into yellow brown cavities ,if left untreated.

3.These cavities are discolored to brown /black from stains in foods & drink

STAGES OF ECC:

1. VERY MILD: clinical appearance shows slight demineralization usually at gingival crest without any cavitation.

2.MILD: Clinical appearance shows demineralization in gingival third of the tooth & moderate cavitation.

3. MODERATE: Clinical appearance shows frank cavitation on multiple tooth surface.

4.SEVERE: Clinically apearance consists of widespread destruction of tooth & partial to complete loss of crown structure.

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