Early childhood tooth decay is being tackled as part of Oral Health Month.

The Department of Health’s Oral Health section launched school-entry screening last year which focuses on the “decay experience” of children aged five or turning five.

This refers to how many decayed, missing — extracted — and filled teeth are found in the average child.

Private and public health dentists have been working to conduct school-entry screening and have measured the levels of visible decay.

About 60 per cent of children in Bermuda born in 2009 have taken part so far and some are still being checked in schools.

Dr Celia Musson-Nzabalinda, senior dental officer for the Department of Health, said: “The results show that the average child has 1.9 cavities in the primary teeth, while 73 per cent of those examined had no visible decay.

“This means that the decay experience that accounts for this average is identified in 27 per cent of the children examined.

“If one looks only at the 27 per cent and averages out the decay experience, this number increases to an average of 6.95 decayed, extracted or filled teeth.

“Fortunately, the children were found to have twice as many filled teeth as decayed teeth. The consequences of decay and premature loss of teeth in the zero to five age group are pain, infection, nutritional concerns, speech and swallowing issues, and low self-esteem.

“Additionally, there is significant cost to the parents and to society in correcting these problems.”

There are generally two types of decay experience — the first is early childhood caries (decay) which is the result of a child continually being exposed to liquids containing refined or natural simple sugars.

Children in this category often go to sleep with milk or juice or are sipping on these drinks continually throughout the day.

Dr Nzabalinda explained: “Bacteria in the mouth use these beverages for their nutrition and the result is a prolonged acid bath for the primary teeth which softens the enamel and results in decay.

“This type of decay forms a distinctive pattern and, if unchecked, it can involve many of a young child’s teeth.”

The second type of decay found in young children is interproximal decay or decay between the teeth. When the space between the molars start to close up at about age three, a toothbrush cannot reach between the contacts, meaning it is necessary to floss them and any other teeth with close contacts.

Primary teeth develop much more rapidly than permanent teeth and have a higher mineral content. The enamel is also thinner. These factors allow for rapid decay when the conditions are right such as with frequent exposure to beverages.

The Department of Health has issued prevention strategies for reducing decay levels in young child. They are:

• Acid Attack: Increase oral health education about the developmental and financial consequences of the acid attack that occurs when children either go to sleep with beverages or sip on them throughout the day.

• Brush Don’t Rush: Educate parents on oral hygiene techniques, such as proper brushing, and increase the emphasis on proper use of flossers for children.

• Highlight the role of daily fluoride in helping to fight the acid attack. Promote the use of fluoride varnishes to help reverse early stage demineralisation of enamel.

• Decay is Contagious: Encourage parents to take care of their own teeth to reduce the chances of their child’s exposure to the bacteria that cause decay.

The Department of Health is providing screenings up until February 27 at the Hamilton Health Centre at 67 Victoria Street.

Anyone wishing to make an appointment for their child to be screened should call 278-6440.