PREVENTIVE AND RESTORATIVE APPROACHES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a bacterial infectious disease affecting children under the age of three, caused by early colonization of the oral cavity by Streptococcus mutans. The transmission of this bacterium often occurs from mother to child through saliva, via shared utensils, pacifiers, or droplets. The development of ECC involves multiple factors, including the host (teeth), the presence of cariogenic bacteria, a sugary diet, and sufficient time for these conditions to act synergistically. Poor oral hygiene, frequent nighttime breastfeeding, and high consumption of sweetened beverages significantly accelerate the onset and progression of ECC.