Caries risk assessment

We now know that caries (tooth decay) is a chronic preventable infectious bacterial disease. It is also due to many factors being present over time.

Principal risk factors include:

  • parents’ and child’s past decay experience
  • frequency of snacking on sugars/cooked starch/sweet drinks
  • bottle use
  • sleeping with a bottle
  • on demand feeding after the introduction of solids
  • obvious presence of plaque on teeth
  • white spots, or actual cavities
  • oral or orthodontic appliances
  • child has special needs or medical condition
  • llimited health knowledge

A risk assessment will be done to gauge likelihood of tooth decay to prevent future problems