It’s a misconception that since your child’s baby teeth will ultimately fall out, you won’t need a cavity filled. Like permanent teeth, baby teeth need to be taken care of for your child’s dental health in the future. If left untreated, dental decay in infant teeth can worsen and affect the development of adult teeth from the inside out, leading to long-term issues.
How Do Cavities Develop In Baby Teeth?
Cavities can develop when normal bacteria found in our mouths damage the enamel, the glossy surface of our teeth. The sugary residue from our food and drink provides food for the bacteria. They produce acids in the process, which erode tooth enamel and cause tooth decay to begin. Tooth decay can even be initiated by the natural sugars found in breast milk and formula. Additionally, even though children begin to lose their primary teeth at the age of six, anything that occurs before then will have a long-term impact on your child’s oral health. Studies indicate that a child’s food and oral hygiene practices during their infancy and toddler years lower their chance of developing tooth decay later in life.
Why Are Dental Fillings Important For Baby Teeth?
Dentists frequently suggest fillings when they discover decay in a baby’s teeth. Teeth preservation with fillings eliminates the need for extractions. For the dental health and growth of a child, it is crucial to treat decay and maintain tooth structure. The following are a few of the reasons why fillings are advised by dentists.
Decay Spreads To Permanent Teeth
Baby teeth are positioned above permanent teeth. If a primary tooth with decay is left untreated, the disease may eventually move to the permanent tooth below the gum line. When the tooth erupts, this could damage its structure and result in issues. It will have already decayed when it does emerge, and a dentist will need to treat it.
Retain Tooth Alignment
Permanent teeth occupy the spaces left by baby teeth. Tooth decay can cause early loss of baby teeth by incorrectly aligning teeth, which can result in future orthodontic problems. Dental fillings maintain the baby teeth’s structural integrity, preventing premature tooth loss and guaranteeing the right spacing for the eruption of permanent teeth.
Untreated Cavities Become Painful
Even in the case of a baby tooth, it is never a smart idea to ignore a cavity. Cavities can become very painful if left untreated. An abscess can develop from an infection in the tooth. It is extremely harmful for the illness to spread to other body parts. If left untreated, this may develop into a serious illness.
Chewing And Speech
As an alternative to dental fillings, some parents would prefer that dentists extract baby teeth. Speaking and chewing, however, require teeth. Even a single tooth extraction might affect a child’s eating habits and potentially impede their speech development. It is advisable to preserve teeth with fillings whenever feasible.
When Will A Cavity Not Require Filling?
Sometimes a baby tooth cavity can be filled without the need for a filling. Initially, there is a possibility that a very tiny cavity will heal itself. In such a situation, your dentist could advise a dental-friendly diet or practices to assist stop the cavity from getting worse. In addition, if the tooth is on the verge of coming out, your dentist might decide not to fix a cavity. Rather, if the cavity is not causing discomfort and does not present a risk for germs to spread throughout the teeth or tissues, it is perfectly acceptable to allow time for the tooth to fall out.
When To Fill Cavities In Baby Teeth?
Baby teeth should have cavities filled as soon as they are discovered, according to the American Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (AAPD). This is due to the fact that cavities can spread fast and, if addressed, result in more tooth damage. Early intervention can help save the tooth and avoid the need for later, more involved dental work. The procedure for repairing a cavity in a baby tooth is the same as that for a tooth in an adult. After extracting the tooth’s rotten section, the dentist will use a dental filling material to restore the damaged area. In addition to strengthening the tooth, this can stop more decay. Usually, the process is swift and painless, and kids can quickly get back to their regular activities.
What Kind Of Fillings Do Babies Receive?
Given that silver amalgam fillings are reasonably priced and because pediatric teeth will eventually fall out, pediatric dentistry recommends them for kids. However, because tooth-colored composite fillings are more visually pleasing and healthier than silver amalgam, dentists advise against using silver amalgam. Mercury is a neurotoxin that is present in silver amalgam fillings. Though they have been used for almost a century and approved by the FDA, many people still have doubts about their safety. As a result, dentists advise composite resin fillings. Children reap the benefits of composite resin fillings after experiencing its numerous perks. Unlike silver amalgam fillings, composite resin fillings are completely safe and effective because they don’t contain mercury. The tooth is preserved structurally because the filling procedure doesn’t involve removing a significant amount of tooth structure. Furthermore, the filler itself stops the cavity from getting worse, shielding the tooth from additional harm. Most significantly, the filling makes eating, biting, and other routine activities more comfortable for the child by reducing tooth sensitivity and relieving toothaches.
Conclusion
If you are worried about the cavities in your child’s teeth, consider consulting with the best pediatric dentist in Dubai or any other place you are. Nowadays, Dubai is considered the best place to live. The healthcare facilities you can get in Dubai are the most premium. You can get all kinds of health care from experts who have lots of knowledge and are highly educated.
To prevent additional damage and possible long-term oral health issues, cavities in baby teeth must be filled as soon as they are discovered. Although it is tempting to believe that our infant or child doesn’t require routine dental examinations and cleanings since they are still young and have few teeth, the truth is that making an appointment for professional examinations and cleanings with a dentist is among the most important and preventive steps we can take to guarantee our child’s best possible oral health.
