Many parents are unaware of the importance of baby teeth. They assume that since they eventually fall out, there’s no real urgency to properly care for them. However, this is far from the truth, especially since these teeth serve as placeholders for future adult teeth. Keep reading to find out whether dental fillings are necessary for these early pearly whites and what you can do to help your child reduce their risk for cavities in the first place.
What Causes Cavities to Form in Young Smiles?
Children must learn how to brush and take care of their teeth properly. It’s unlikely that they’ll be able to do this on their own until about the age of 8. Until then, having a parent nearby to help and observe the morning and nighttime routine is essential. Otherwise, dental cavities are likely to occur.
Between novice oral hygiene practices, unhealthy diets that consist of lots of sugar and carbohydrates, and non-nutritive habits, children are prone to developing cavities.
Is It Necessary For Your Child to Receive a Dental Filling?
When a cavity forms, you might think that it’s no big deal, as the tooth will just fall out. But the truth is that keeping this tooth in place as long as possible is the ultimate goal.
When meeting with your child’s pediatric dentist to determine if they need a dental filling, the dentist will evaluate the situation and determine how big the cavity is, how soon will the tooth fall out, and how likely will your child develop more cavities.
Naturally, if your child is complaining of pain or has difficulty eating or speaking, a dental filling will be necessary. The good news is that most pediatric dentists offer tooth-colored fillings to fix the problem. Less invasive than traditional amalgam, they ensure that your child keeps more of their natural tooth structure while enjoying a sturdy and reliable restoration that blends in with other existing teeth.
Failing to have a dental filling put in place can result in a severe infection forming, which will only cause worsening symptoms and potential problems for nearby healthy teeth.
Ways to Avoid Cavities From the Start
If you want to help your little one take steps to avoid cavities from the start, you’ll want to make sure that you do the following:
- Help or observe their oral hygiene routines in the morning and at night.
- Keep their six-month dental checkups and teeth cleaning appointments.
- Limit their consumption of sugary foods and beverages.
- Have them drink plenty of fluoridated water.
- Inquire about additional fluoride treatments or products to safeguard their teeth.
Tooth-colored fillings are a safe and effective solution for patients of all ages, so if your little one has a cavity, don’t wait to do something about it. Let their pediatric dentist take care of the problem with this fast and reliable restorative service.
About the Author
Dr. Linda Steele is a pediatric dentist in Coppell who possesses nearly three decades of experience. Providing preventive and restorative services to young patients, she is pleased to offer tooth-colored fillings to children with cavities. She and her team use natural-looking, aesthetically friendly materials to not only strengthen and protect teeth but also keep them looking beautiful. If you believe your child might benefit from a tooth-colored filling, visit our website or call (972) 640-7432.