Some parents wonder if baby teeth are more prone to decay than others. They might reflect on their own experiences growing up or those of people they knew. The answer to this question is complicated, as many factors can cause a child to get a cavity. Knowing whether or not there’s any truth to this idea can help you better support the dental health of your child.

Many people think that some children or families are prone to cavities due to soft dental enamel. This is false. Cavities are actually caused by bacteria that feed on sugar residue left on teeth. This bacteria then secretes acid that settles on teeth, damages the enamel and results in cavities. It’s this bacteria that is passed from parent to child, especially through activities such as brushing with the same toothbrush or sharing utensils. So, cavities are more likely to occur in children whose parents also had lots of cavities in their youth.

This is why some children are seemingly able to eat tons of candy or fruit and never have any dental problems, even with poor brushing habits. Still, your child might need to have treatments or cavity fillings at a very young age due to having these specific types of oral bacteria in their mouths. It isn’t possible to treat the bacteria specifically, the best way to tackle them is to cut off its supply of sugar.

The physical structure of baby teeth is actually similar to adult teeth. The outer layer of enamel is thinner than adult enamel. So, yes, baby teeth are more susceptible to cavities than adult teeth. Also some children are less likely to have good oral hygiene habits of brushing and flossing daily, they may have more cavities and dental decay. 

Remember, cavities are caused by bacteria. While only children with these specific types of bacteria in their mouths will have problems with cavities, good dental hygiene can still help curb any issues. So baby teeth are more prone to cavities, unless the child does not have these bacteria and is not resistant to brushing, flossing and rinsing their mouths. Also, eating less sweets can also help a child prevent cavities from forming.

The best ways to help prevent cavities in young children is to keep their diet low in sugar and teach them regular brushing skills. Although it is difficult, it’s also a good idea to help children learn to floss between their teeth daily. Having a low sugar diet and regular dental care from a dentist will help your child to establish lifelong habits related to good oral health.

If you suspect your child might have dental decay at a young age, it’s time to investigate your own childhood dental history. You may find that you also had cavities in your baby teeth starting at a young age. If you did, it’s important to not share utensils or toothbrushes with your young children. You may still have bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities.