1. What is the most common chronic childhood disease?
Tooth Decay
20 times more common than DIABETES
5 times more common than ASTHMA
4 times more common than OBESITY
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 3: Early Childhood Caries
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. It is more common that diabetes, asthma and even obesity.

2. What is Early Childhood Caries?
Definition of ECC:
When a child 0-5 years old has 1 or more decayed, missing (due to caries) or filled teeth.
Early childhood caries (ECC) are also known as cavities.
Previously known as “baby bottle tooth decay”
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 3: Early Childhood Caries
Insert pic from smiles for life

3. First signs of cavities
The first sign of ECC are white spots at the gum line and on the front of the teeth.
If untreated, white spots lead to tooth decay (cavities).
Cavities can cause pain and infection, and may affect speech and health
Most cavities can be prevented!!
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 3: Early Childhood Caries

4. Why is your baby’s oral health important?
Healthy primary(baby) teeth help children chew food and speak clearly
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 3: Early Childhood Caries

5. Dental caries
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 3: Early Childhood Caries
Dental caries is still the number one infectious disease among children.
About 1 in 5 (20%) of children ages 5-11 have at least one untreated decayed tooth.
The % of children and adolescents aged 5-19 years with untreated tooth decay is twice as high from those from low income families (25%) compared with children from higher income households (11%).
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6. Dental caries If tooth decay is left untreated, it can cause
Pain and infections
Difficulty paying attention, even at play
Missed school days
High $$ cost of care
UCLA Community Oral Health Program
Module 3: Early Childhood Caries
Tooth decay can cause pain that can make it difficult to pay attention even play and can result in changes in the childs behavior. Young children may not be able to express that their teeth hurt, or even realize the source of their discomfort.
As tooth decay grows it can cause an infection in the tooth's nerve. This infection can travel to the cheek, throat or the brain.
taking the child to the dentist regularly can help prevent tooth decay so that if it does occur it will be treated when it is very small. Small cavities can often be treated without any pain!