Cavities in Baby Teeth and How They Should Be Treated
Everyone has primarily temporary teeth when they are growing, which later come out and are replaced with permanent teeth. Tooth decay in children is common, and it destroys the tooth enamel, leading to cavities. The bacteria found in the mouth works on the food remaining in the mouth and produces a substance called plaque. It is the plaque that destroys the enamel leading to teeth cavities.
Is it Necessary to Fill Cavities in Baby Teeth?
Many people do not take baby teeth as vital because they know that they will eventually come out to give way to adult teeth. That is why they ask," Is it necessary to fill cavities in baby teeth?" They know within a short time, they will fall out. But teeth damaged by cavities can cause one or more of the following teeth problem in children:
- Biting and chewing problems leading to poor eating
- Cause overbites and bite alignment issues which may cost a lot to correct
- Cause the adult teeth not to grow straight and healthy
- Affect the child's speech impacting negatively on self-esteem
- Severe tooth pain
- Cause infections on the nearby teeth resulting in more cavities
- Cause problems to the child and affect the permanent teeth in the future
What are the symptoms of Tooth Decay in Children?
- Pain below the gum line around the tooth
- Sensitivity to cold or hot drinks
- Paining tooth when brushing or chewing food
- Persistence if dark spots, holes, or discoloration of teeth
- Persistent bad breath
How is tooth decay diagnosed in a child?
A dentist diagnoses tooth decay in children based on their history, examining the child's teeth, and a dental x-ray.
How is Tooth Decay Treated in a Child?
The standard baby teeth treatment is tooth filling, removing the decayed part, and replacing it with a filling. There are also other options that you can choose depending on the condition of the tooth. These include the following:
- Self tooth repair is a problem that is not severe
- Tooth fillings
- Crowns
- Extraction if the decay is severe
- Root Canal if the tooth is severely damaged, but it can still restore it
- Sometimes, the dentists may have to use laughing gas or nitrogen oxide, depending on the procedure needed to treat the condition
- Sedation is used in extreme cases to ensure the child is treated and comfortable with the procedure
Failure to treat tooth cavities in baby teeth may cause the children other problems that affect the child's well-being.
How can I help Prevent Dental Decay/Cavities in my Child's Teeth?
You can avoid tooth decay in your child by following some simple tooth care procedures as follows:
- Practice early brushing of teeth when the first one appears, and make sure you also brush the tongue, gum with good toothpaste twice a day
- Use a minimal amount of toothpaste when your child is tiny
- Floss your child's teeth daily after the child attains two years
- Ensure the child eats a balanced diet
- Never share brushes
- A Bedtime bottle should only have water and not anything containing sugar to prevent tooth decay
- Schedule regular visits to a dentist for your child
- Have dental cleaning for your child's teeth every six months
It is better to take care of your child's teeth to prevent decay other than looking for the solution after a problem.
