Preventive and restorative procedures in early childhood caries

Rani dječji karijes (RDK) infektivna je bakterijska bolest koja se može definirati kao svaki karijes koji se pojavljuje u prve tri godine djetetova života. Za nastanak karijesa trebaju biti zadovoljeni sljedeći preduvjeti: domaćin na kojem će se razviti karijesna lezija, prisutnost bakterija, konzumacija kariogene prehrane i vrijeme. Rani dječji karijes također nastaje kombinacijom navedenih preduvjeta s tim što su oni ubrzani zbog učestalog dojenja noću, neprimjerene oralne higijene i češće konzumacije zaslađenih napitaka. Najčešće započinje kao područje demineralizacije na gornjim prednjim zubima u cervikalnom području, a s vremenom može dovesti do gubitka cijele krune. Mliječni su zubi izrazito važni za rast i razvitak cijele čeljusti, ali i za žvakanje, jasan govor, čuvanje mjesta trajnim zubima i psihološki razvoj djeteta. Upravo je zbog toga važna rana prevencija karijesa. Ako je došlo do demineralizacije cakline, bitno je što prije dijagnosticirati i spriječiti daljnji razvoj RDK-a. Za ranu prevenciju karijesa najvažnija je edukacije majke, pravilna prehrana i dobra oralna higijena. Također se može provesti liječenje izradom restaurativnog ispuna ili, ako je došlo do većeg gubitka tvrdog zubnog tkiva, izradom krunica. U razvijenim se zemljama RDK smatra oblikom dentalnog zanemarivanja jer su se roditelji dužni brinuti o oralnom zdravlju djeceEarly childhood caries is an infectious bacterial disease that can be defined as any caries that occurs in the first three years of a child’s life. The following prerequisites need to be met for the development of caries: the host where the carious lesion will develop, the presence of bacteria, cariogenic diet, and time. Early childhood caries is also caused by a combination of the aforementioned conditions, but they are accelerated due to frequent breastfeeding at night, inadequate oral hygiene and more frequent consumption of sweetened beverages. Tooth decay most commonly begins as an area of demineralization on the upper front teeth in the cervical area and over time can lead to the loss of the entire crown. Deciduous teeth are extremely important for the growth and development of the entire jaw, but also for chewing, clear speech, keeping place for permanent teeth and the psychological development of a child. This is why early caries prevention is important. If enamel demineralization has occurred, it is important to diagnose and prevent further development of early childhood caries as soon as possible. The mother's education, proper nutrition and good oral hygiene are the most important for early prevention of caries. Treatment can also be performed by making a restorative filling or, if there has been a greater loss of hard tooth tissue, by making crowns. In developed countries, early childhood caries is considered as a form of dental neglect because parents are required to take care of their children’s oral health