Children Achieve Healthy, Beautiful Smiles with Dental Cavity Treatment

Treating a cavity with a filling is a painless in-office procedure often completed in less than one hour. Before the procedure, the dentist numbs your child’s mouth with local anesthesia. Many children only need anesthetics, but if your child is anxious about the procedure, we can relax them with sedation dentistry.

Once at ease, the dentist will gently remove the decayed or damaged tooth portion and clean the area to eliminate all traces of bacteria. Next, the resulting cavity is filled with layered composite resin, reshaped, and hardened in place with a special curing light. Finally, the filling is polished, and your child’s bite is adjusted until it feels natural.

A dental filling doesn’t require special maintenance. Your child should brush and floss the filling just as they would their natural teeth. Good care ensures the filling lasts many years.

Despite your efforts to protect your child from cavities, you may find a cavity in their smile once again. Your child’s vulnerability to tooth decay isn’t an isolated case. Children are more likely to get cavities than adults because of the following reasons.

• Dietary choices: Cavity-causing bacteria love sugar, so it’s not surprising that children are vulnerable to decay because of their love for sugary treats. Harmful bacteria feed on the sugars and carbohydrates left in the mouth, secreting acidic substances that erode the enamel over time.  Many processed snack foods that aren’t sweet, such as crackers and pretzels, can cause cavities very easily because they stick to the teeth for so long.  
• Inadequate oral hygiene: Despite how well you train your child on oral hygiene, they aren’t always thorough when brushing and flossing their teeth. Insufficient oral hygiene causes harmful bacteria and plaque to accumulate, causing decay.
• Dental enamel defects: The enamel is the hard outer covering of the tooth. Certain enamel defects, like enamel hypoplasia, can increase your child’s vulnerability to decay. These defects can be hereditary or acquired from dental trauma, preterm birth, and oral infections.

Given your child’s vulnerability to cavities, their smile needs special attention. Ensure your little one practices optimal oral hygiene to prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. They should also be educated on the importance of making healthy dietary choices and limiting their intake of sticky and sugary foods. Lastly, visit your pediatric dentist every six months for routine check-ups and dental cleanings.