18 Feb What To Do If a Child Has Tooth Decay
Even primary (“baby”) teeth can develop tooth decay, and cavities that are untreated can be as potentially harmful to your child’s oral health as they are to your own. Therefore, you should seek professional treatment from a family dentist if your child has tooth decay.
Your family dentist can determine the best treatment for decay, whether that is a conventional filling for a small cavity or a more involved restoration for more extensive decay.
It’s beneficial to get your child established with a dentist by his or her first birthday. This will give the dentist an opportunity to monitor your child on a regular basis so that issues like tooth decay can be treated earlier, and it normalizes your child’s experience with getting dental care.
Additionally, you may want to re-evaluate your child’s home oral hygiene routine if your child develops tooth decay. Are you brushing and flossing their teeth according the recommendations of your family dentist? Does your child need additional assistance due to inexperience with brushing and flossing technique?
We know that dietary factors can also contribute to tooth decay, especially in children who are drawn to sweet treats and less skilled in brushing away the residue from those sweet treats. Limiting your child’s access to candy and other sugary treats can go a long way in preventing tooth decay. Teach your child to at least rinse the mouth after enjoying such treats or ideally brush afterward whenever possible.
Some children may be more susceptible to tooth decay due to genetic factors, and it is even more important to control the environment for these children. If your family dentist suggests that genetics may be contributing to the issue, you will want to be extra diligent about monitoring your child’s oral hygiene routine and intake of sweets.
Cavities are among the most common ailments of childhood, but fortunately, you can take action to prevent them and pursue treatment when a child does develop tooth decay. Talk to our dentist about the recommended course of action and for more suggestions about cavity prevention.
