Dental Caries Prevention in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter is about dental caries in children and adolescents and the measures that need to be taken for its control, both at home and in the dental environment. In the first part it discusses contemporary knowledge on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestation including that for early childhood caries, its recording and diagnosis, as well as the epidemiology and treatment needs in the growing child. It further describes treatment strategies based on caries risk. In the second part it goes deeper in each caries control means. It elaborates in the mechanical plaque removal and the chemical, microbial, and other medicinal means, mainly the fluorides. It discusses current views about the diet, e.g., carbohydrates, consumption frequency, and sugar substitutes and also about professional applied prevention methods like the pit and fissure sealants. The chapter ends with important issues on young patient motivation and compliance for healthy tooth behavior and the responsibility of the dental profession for timely patient recalls.KeywordsDental cariesEarly childhood cariesCaries preventionCaries controlDietFluorideSealantsToothbrushingDental patient recallChild and adolescent