Dental caries (cavities) in Primary teeth (baby teeth) is not the single governing factor leading to compromised health of permanent teeth. Cavities are caused due to multiple reasons; poor oral hygiene and diet being the most common ones.
When a young child develops a cavity or multiple cavities and is left untreated for a long duration of time, not only would this compromise the health of primary dentition but can lead to infection that can affect the underlying permanent teeth.
Small cavities need small fillings, big cavities need big fillings. Cavities close to nerve of the baby tooth should be evaluated for half or complete root canal treatments. The whole point of these treatments is to arrest the progressing decay, restore baby tooth and maintain infection free environment for the permanent teeth to develop.
In the lack of treatment of decayed primary teeth, bacteria continue to progress deeper into and through the root canals into the underlying bone. This may cause acidic environment around the developing permanent tooth, the response to which is related to the age of the child and status of development of the erupting permanent tooth.
Also, bacterial content of mouth full of cavities is very high. When new permanent teeth start to erupt by the age of 6 years, these existing bacteria invade them leading to cavities in young erupting permanent teeth.
Decays in primary teeth should be diagnosed, treated and then maintained by good oral hygiene practice, dietary guidance and six monthly regular appointments with the dentist. Treated and maintained dental health of once affected primary dentition can certainly lay a strong foundation for upcoming permanent teeth. Thus, cavities in baby teeth need not necessarily lead to cavities in permanent teeth, if necessary treatments, routines and prevention method are diligently being followed.
