As parents, we’re always thinking about what’s best for our children – especially when it comes to their health. One area that often raises questions and concerns is dental care for young children, particularly when it comes to treating cavities in baby teeth – if these teeth are meant to fall out eventually, is it worthwhile to seek tooth-colored fillings when they get cavities? The answer is often a resounding yes; here’s what you need to know.
Why Cavities Need to Be Treated
Cavities are chronic conditions among children – in fact, cavities are actually one of the most common health issues in the entire world! Children can begin developing cavities as soon as their teeth begin erupting, due to baby bottle decay, frequent snacking on sugary or starchy foods, poor oral hygiene, and other detrimental habits. Baby teeth and permanent teeth alike are susceptible to them.
What’s worse is that cavities do not heal by themselves; they will only continue to expand until the bacteria causing them reaches the soft, vulnerable center of the tooth known as the dental pulp. When this happens, the tooth could even die and fall out, negatively impacting oral health and future dental development of the other teeth. Of course, the bacteria can also make its way to the gums, which grants it access to the rest of the body.
In these scenarios, it’s possible that the tooth may need to undergo expensive and extensive treatments for the sake of your child’s overall and oral health – which isn’t something you should want your little one to endure, especially so early in life!
How Cavities in Baby Teeth Are Treated
The go-to method of treating cavities in baby teeth involves tooth-colored fillings; in the past, metal amalgam was used, but bio-friendly composite materials can now be used that blend in with the rest of the tooth seamlessly. The process is quite straightforward: after removing infected material from the tooth and cleaning it, the dentist fills it with the filling material, shaping it as needed before hardening it. Your child’s mouth will be numbed to ensure they’re comfortable during this quick, one-visit procedure.
There are normally a few different factors that determine if a tooth needs one of these fillings, including the size of the cavity, the child’s future risk of cavities, and how close the tooth is to falling out. Baby teeth that are close to falling out can be left inside the mouth in some cases if oral hygiene is improved. Larger cavities or children at higher risk of cavities are usually filled, to prevent worsening issues.
In any case, you should strive to help your child prevent cavities, as well as the need for fillings, by encouraging proper oral hygiene every day. If they’re too young to brush on their own, make sure you’re taking great care of their developing smile and encouraging good bottle and dietary habits. By starting off strong when it comes to your child’s oral health, you can set them up for a lifetime of happy and healthy smiling!
About the Practice
Here at Simply Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we’ve helped families in Nashua maintain their dental wellness for several years, and we look forward to assisting you! We proudly offer a wide range of pediatric dental and orthodontic services for children of all ages. If you have any questions about the blog or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment for your child, simply visit us online or call us today! Telephone: (603) 880-5002.