Did you know that around 20% of children have at least one cavity that has gone untreated?
Even when a child is young, dental care is an absolute necessity. This is especially true when you consider how oral health can affect an individual’s general health. The sooner you can instill positive dental habits in your child, the better.
Are you wondering what you need to know? Keep reading to learn all about child cavity treatment with this basic parent’s guide.
Cavity Prevention
When it comes to kids’ dental care, the best way to handle cavities is by doing everything you can to prevent them. Experts agree that both children and adults should brush their teeth two times every day and for around two minutes each time.
Flossing is another habit that children should adopt as early as possible. As a general rule of thumb, they should start flossing once their teeth get closer together. This can occur as early as age two or as late as age 6.
As for mouthwash, this is a hygiene habit that should wait until they turn 6. Even then, it’s important to monitor their use of mouthwash until they reach the age of 12. The reason for this is that mouthwash can be fatal if swallowed.
It’s important to emphasize to a child that teeth don’t grow on trees. Rather, once their permanent teeth come in, they’ll have those same teeth for the rest of their life. It’s okay to joke with them and ask if they want to get dentures by the time they’re 16 years old, for instance.
While you shouldn’t try to scare them, it’s worth talking about the experience of a dental filling and how it’s something they want to avoid. After all, no one likes getting injected with novocaine and having their teeth drilled into.
Of course, some cavities occur even when a child is being as diligent as possible. In that case, you can ease their worries by taking them to a kids’ care dental specialist. These types of dentists are trained to make children as comfortable as possible so that their experience is far from traumatic.
How Cavities Form
It’s an unfortunate fact that cavities are permanent decay within a tooth. While the damage can’t be reversed, it can be stopped from spreading and can be fixed using a filling. The question you might be asking is, “How do cavities form on my child’s teeth in the first place?”
You may be surprised to learn that cavities, otherwise known as caries, are one of the most common health issues in the world. One reason for this is that it’s easy to develop them if you don’t have proper dental hygiene. When bacteria, sugar, plaque, and more build up in the crevices of a tooth, it can start eating away at the tooth’s enamel and deeper.
Once the decay reaches the root of a child’s tooth, that’s when the most sensitivity and pain begin. Other symptoms of a cavity include tooth achiness, sharp pain in the presence of hot and cold foods, black or brown staining, bite pains, and more.
Whether you live in Milton, Canada or elsewhere, it’s important to take your children to see a dentist on a regular basis. Not only this but it’s also important to check your child’s teeth for noticeable decay. If you see anything suspicious, then you should book the earliest pediatric dental appointment.
The longer you wait, the worse it can get. Since infections can occur from tooth decay, it can end up affecting your child’s entire wellbeing, including their heart health. Dental fillings are much easier to deal with on a physical, emotional, and financial level than, say, gum disease.
How to Treat Them
The likelihood of a child developing at least one cavity is moderate. If it happens, you shouldn’t worry because we have trained dentists in Brampton, Mississauga, Milton, and Vaughan/Maple, Canada that can help. There are several different ways a dentist can take care of a cavity, depending on the cavity’s severity.
In the worst-case scenario, a highly-decayed tooth will need to undergo extraction. However, it’s possible to save a tooth with even severe decay by getting a root canal.
When it comes to children, this type of dental service can still be necessary even on a baby tooth. The reason for this is that a missing tooth can affect the development of the child’s bite and could have the potential to affect their speech as well.
In some cases, a root canal can be avoided. Instead, a dentist can put in a crown. A crown is a way of replacing the entire top of a tooth after drilling away all the decayed portions.
In situations where the decay isn’t too severe, then getting a filling is the best option. This involves drilling out the decay then filling the hole with a composite resin that has the same color as the real tooth.
If you catch tooth decay at its very earliest stage, then your child might have the option of fluoride treatment. This involves using fluoride to reverse that early sign of decay and restoring the tooth’s all-important enamel.
Now You Know About Child Cavity Treatment
Now that you’ve learned all about child cavity treatment, you can do everything you can to keep your child’s teeth as beautiful and healthy as possible. While you’re taking care of your child’s dental needs, you shouldn’t forget about yours in the process.
With locations in Milton, Mississauga, and Brampton, Vaughan/Maple, Canada, The Dental Team is here to meet your family’s dental needs. Our expert dentists can help you with regular cleanings, emergency dental care, implants, fillings, and much more, including dentist for kids.
Don’t wait until dental issues escalate and become more costly. Prioritize your oral health today by scheduling a regular check-up. Contact The Dental Team to book an appointment and take the first step towards maintaining a healthy smile.
Remember, investing in regular dental care is not only beneficial for your oral health but also a wise financial decision in the long run.
