EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES

EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES (ECC):
ECC is a specific form of severe dental caries that affects infants and young children. It is defines as the presence of more than one decayed(n0n-cavitated or cavitated lesions), missing (due to decay), or filled tooth surface in any primary tooth in a child 71months are younger. This was formerly termed as "baby bottle tooth decay" and "nursing bottle caries". Any sign of smooth surface caries in child younger than 3years is indicative of ECC. Between the ages of 3 and 5, severe ECC defined as one or more cavitated missing , missing due to caries or filled smooth surface in primary maxillary teeth or a decayed, missing or filled surface score of greater than 4(age 3) , 5 (age 4). 6(age 5) .
ECC is a result of interaction of the factors involved in other types of dental caries. However the dietary factors include frequent consumption of liquids containing fermentable carbohydrates, particularly through a nursing bottle at sleep times. When taken via nursing bottle the liquids pool around the maxillary incisors and cause rapidly progressive, severe destruction of tooth structure .
The AAPD recommends that infants not to be put to sleep with a bottle and that unrestricted nocturnal breast feeding be avoided after the eruption of the first primary tooth. Parents should encourage the infant the drink from the cup as the infant approaches the first birthday; weaning from the bottle should be done at 12-14months. Oral hygiene measures should be in place at the time of eruption of first primary tooth. The child's first oral health consultation should occur within 6months after the eruption of the first tooth but no later than 12months of age.