How to Treat Cavities in Baby Teeth
One of the most prevalent dental issues among kids is cavities. A cavity, also known as tooth decay, is a region of a tooth that has been irreversibly damaged. When parents notice their child has a cavity, they often wonder how to treat cavities in baby teeth.
Your kid’s primary or baby teeth may be affected, and if so, you may dismiss it as a minor inconvenience since your child will soon lose these teeth. Is it really that important? However, a cavity should not be ignored.
All the information you have to know regarding cavities in children, including typical causes, treatments, preventative measures, and how to treat cavities in baby teeth is here.
What Causes Tooth Decay in Children?
An accumulation of dental plaque eats away at the tooth’s enamel, causing a cavity to form. Bacteria in the mouth interact with food, saliva, acid, and other substances to generate plaque, which is a sticky film that accumulates on teeth.
Children who don’t brush and floss regularly are more likely to develop cavities, which are caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth. Brushing twice a day for at least two minutes is recommended for children. They should brush once in the morning and once at night. The worst-case scenario is that they don’t brush at all.
Until the age of six, children are unable to brush properly on their own. Until a child is old enough to brush properly on his or her own, an adult should clean the teeth of the child or oversee the child’s brushing.
See Best Electric Toothbrushes for Toddlers
As a side note, some children fail to floss their teeth properly, or they do it improperly. Plaque and food particles may also build up between teeth and cause cavities. Flossing may be a challenge for children; therefore, parents are once again called upon to assist.
Remember, too, that excellent dental hygiene requires frequent dental examinations. This is an essential part of maintaining good oral health. You should plan dental visits for your children just as you would for yourself.
As soon as your child’s first tooth erupts around the age of six months, make an appointment with the dentist. From then on, it is recommended that the child sees the dentist every 6 months.
It’s not only poor dental care that causes cavities; a person’s diet is also an important factor. As a result, if your kid consumes a lot of sweet, sugary, or starchy meals that are rich in carbs, their teeth are more likely to decay (ice cream, cakes, candy, crackers, chips, etc.).
Some individuals, however, may be genetically susceptible to cavities because their enamel is weaker.
Have a Cavity in Your Child’s Tooth? Here’s What You Should Do
Identifying a cavity in the child might be challenging since tooth decay does not always cause discomfort. Signs of a potential cavity include the following:
- teeth discoloration
- Spots of whiteness on the teeth
- Cry or be a fussy child
- aversion to eating or drinking cold things
- a swollen mouth
- being wary about food
- lethargy
Make an appointment with a pediatric dentist if you think you have a cavity. Depending on the degree of decay, they might provide treatment recommendations after inspecting your child’s teeth.
Children’s Cavities: How are They Treated?
Toddlers and children with one or more cavities are more likely to need a dental filling than adults. Fillings may be done on both permanent and baby teeth.
After removing the decay, the dentist applies a white composite or metal substance to fill up the hole. In order to save a baby tooth that has developed a cavity, it is necessary to fill it.
It’s vital to save the tooth since prematurely losing baby teeth might cause a permanent tooth to grow in incorrectly. Your child’s chewing and speech are also aided by baby teeth. Children as young as one or two years old may have tooth fillings done by dentists.
The dentist may also propose a silver-colored dental crown in situations of extensive tooth decay.
Some children’s infant teeth may need to be removed if they are broken or infected. If the tooth is pulled, the dentist will use a space maintainer to keep the space open so that the permanent teeth may develop correctly.
As you might imagine, getting a small child to sit still for a dental operation may be a challenge. Nitrous oxide, sometimes known as laughing gas, is sometimes used by dentists to assist youngsters in relaxing before and during their procedures.
Laughing gas makes it far simpler for dentists to administer an injection to numb patients’ gums. Before the treatment, your dentist may also give your kid a sedative via their mouth.
If your child has a lot of cavities, your dentist may advise you to space out their visits. It’s a little more work for you, but your child will be more comfortable since they won’t have to sit in the dental chair for a long time.
In some cases, putting your child to sleep for dental treatment may be recommended by your dentist. When children are extremely young, have several cavities, or have difficulty keeping still, general anesthesia can be suggested.
Of course, treating cavities in baby teeth is not a fun experience for the child. However, if they develop cavities, it is necessary. That’s why it is so important to practice proper dental hygiene at a young age to prevent tooth decay.
Summary
A cavity is a portion of tooth that has be irreversibly damaged. Cavities are caused by bacteria and plaque that accumulate on the teeth. Children who do not brush and floss regularly are more likely to develop cavities. When they form on baby teeth, cavities must be treated. Placing fillings and crowns are how dentists treat cavities in baby teeth.