Babies/children | 16.2.2026
Paediatric dentist Dr Martina Hartmann explains how parents can help their children develop healthy teeth for life through good oral hygiene and healthy eating habits. Also discover why supplementary dental insurance for children is important for financial protection.
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Tooth decay in children, often referred to as decay in baby teeth, is a bacterial disease in which acids produced by oral bacteria gradually damage tooth enamel. In the worst case, cavities (‘holes’) appear in children’s teeth. Decay in baby teeth can even affect children as young as one or two.
“Tooth decay in children is caused by a combination of a sugary diet, bacteria and inadequate oral hygiene.”
Tooth decay in children is caused by a combination of a sugary diet, bacteria and inadequate oral hygiene. Within minutes of consuming sugary foods or drinks, bacteria in the mouth convert sugars into acids that begin to erode tooth enamel.
“Baby teeth are particularly susceptible to decay as their enamel is thinner and has a lower mineral density than permanent teeth,” explains Dr Martina Hartmann. “The biggest cause of tooth decay in children is the continuous sucking on a bottle by infants and, later, snacking between meals.” Parents should brush their children’s teeth before bedtime, after the last meal of the day and after consuming sugary drinks.
In the early stage, tooth decay often becomes apparent due to chalky, white spots (chalk spots) on the teeth. Parents should keep an eye out for changes to the surface of the teeth. Diseased baby teeth are often discovered too late. If tooth decay is suspected, more frequent dental check-ups are recommended. The paediatric dentist advises having these “every six months and ideally taking x-rays in the early stage”. This is because decay in baby teeth progresses faster than in permanent teeth. The sooner tooth decay is detected, the gentler the treatment.
A tooth-friendly diet and the right dental care are both important for preventing tooth decay by keeping the teeth and gums healthy.
‘Sugar-free’ products are allowed to contain up to 0.5% sugar. ‘No added sugar’ simply means that no additional sugar has been used to make a product. “However, products advertised in this way can naturally contain various forms of sugar, which can cause tooth decay if consumed regularly. This also applies to fruit, dried fruit and fruit juices,” explains Dr Hartmann.
Only ‘tooth-friendly’ products with the ‘tooth man’ symbol provide an assurance that sweet products only contain sugar substitutes and sweeteners and are therefore non-harmful to the teeth, as proven by a set testing procedure.
Baby teeth play an important role in chewing and learning to speak. Missing or damaged teeth can impair food consumption and language development. Healthy baby teeth also act as placeholders for the permanent teeth. If primary teeth are lost too early, for example because of tooth decay, the permanent teeth may not come through in the correct position, increasing the likelihood of misalignment and orthodontic treatment later in life.
Untreated decay in baby teeth can lead to pain and infections, which can spread to the permanent teeth or the body as a whole. There is also a higher risk of the new permanent teeth being affected by tooth decay.
Depending on the extent of the damage and the child’s age, decay in baby teeth is treated on a case-by-case basis. “The aim is to preserve the molars to the greatest possible extent and avoid pain. In our paediatric practice, we focus on child-appropriate treatment, in part to make it as non-scary as possible,” explains Dr Hartmann.
One in two children today need braces despite the best dental care and no tooth decay. Many parents therefore consider taking out supplementary dental insurance for their child. It is worth taking out supplementary dental insurance for children:
Useful info: supplementary dental insurance can usually be taken out for children under 5 without a health check.
Dr Martina Hartmann is a paediatric dentist with an SSO postgraduate qualification. A qualified dentist since 2015, she is co-owner of Wynentaler Kinderzahnmedizin und Kieferorthopädie (Wyki AG), a specialist practice in Menziken dedicated to paediatric dentistry and orthodontics.
Early signs of tooth decay include chalky white spots on the teeth or yellowish-brown discolouration. Early detection of tooth decay in baby teeth is essential for avoiding serious damage. The most important measure here is the annual check-up by a dentist. This is because only a dentist can reliably detect decay in baby teeth.
Supplementary dental insurance with benefit class 4 offers the optimum cover for your children, with KPT assuming 75% of the cost of braces up to the age of 20 without a financial limit. It also covers high-quality dental care including dental hygiene and tooth decay (caries) prevention. We advise you to take out supplementary dental insurance for your children at an early stage as you do not need a certificate from a dentist prior to their 5th birthday.
Supplementary dental insurance with benefit class 4 offers the optimum cover for your children, with KPT assuming 75% of the cost of braces up to the age of 20 without a financial limit. It also covers high-quality dental care including dental hygiene and tooth decay (caries) prevention. We advise you to take out supplementary dental insurance for your children at an early stage as you do not need a certificate from a dentist prior to their 5th birthday.
Dentist Prof. Nicola U. Zitzmann explains restorative dentistry and when prostheses such as crowns, bridges, implants or dentures are required. You will also learn how a supplementary dental insurance policy can help you avoid paying the full costs of restorative dental work yourself as dental costs are not generally covered under basic health insurance in Switzerland.
The cost of dental cleaning in Switzerland varies depending on the provider, location and the patient’s individual needs. Basic health insurance does not usually cover the cost of professional dental hygiene treatment.
Healthy milk teeth lay the foundation for strong permanent teeth, reducing the risk of dental disease and associated dental costs in later life. But even with the best dental care, half of all children need braces, the costs of which can soon rise to above 10,000 francs. That’s why many parents take out supplementary dental insurance for their children. But which dental insurance should you choose and how much can you expect to pay?
Basic health insurance can be supplemented in several ways; for example, with dental insurance or flexible hospital insurance. But which plans should you choose? Read on to discover the types of supplementary insurance available and the benefits they provide.
