Are fillings in baby teeth necessary?

Childhood Cavities: Facts

Primary teeth (also known as baby teeth) begin to appear in your child's mouth around the age of six months, at a rate of about two teeth per six months. These teeth will remain until their permanent (also known as an adult) teeth emerge.

Many parents believe that because primary teeth are temporary, dental problems with them aren't as serious as problems with permanent teeth. Unfortunately, this is not the case; you should treat your child's oral hygiene routine with the same care that you do, even if they only have primary teeth.

Cavities form when your child's teeth are not properly cleaned or their diet is excessively high in sugar or acidic foods. Plaque is formed when food, acid, and bacteria combine to break down the hard outer layer of their teeth, known as the enamel, resulting in a cavity. Furthermore, this plaque can harden into tartar, which causes gum disease and is impossible to remove without professional assistance.

Fillings in Baby Teeth: Do You Need Them?

Cavities (also known as caries) in your child's primary teeth should be treated just as seriously as cavities in permanent teeth, which means you should seek the help of a dental professional as soon as possible for diagnosis, treatment, and to avoid other problems.

In short, fillings in your child's primary teeth are just as important as fillings in permanent teeth.

It is critical to care for your child's primary teeth for a variety of reasons, including:

· Cavities that go untreated can cause discomfort and pain.

· Cavities can cause other dental issues, such as infection.

· Your child's dental health has an impact on their other biological systems and overall health.

· Cavities may indicate underlying issues that should be addressed, such as a poor diet or poor dental health care.

· Poor dental health care as a child predicts poor dental health care as an adult.

· Children rely on healthy teeth to perform essential functions such as speaking and eating.

Cavities, fortunately, are preventable and usually treatable with a simple procedure known as a filling. Stay tuned for a more in-depth discussion of the procedure below.

Filling Procedure for Children's Teeth

Fillings are an important procedure for treating cavities and preventing them from worsening or leading to other dental problems. After removing infected material and cleaning your child's tooth, your dentist will fill the cavity.

The filling material will vary depending on the severity and location of the cavity. Whatever material is used will harden to protect their bite and tooth while also providing structural support and improving the appearance of the tooth. A filling will help your child avoid other, potentially costly dental issues, such as an infection.

A local anesthetic, which is typically injected with a needle to numb the affected area, may or may not be required for fillings. Procedures performed with a laser may not require numbing, whereas drill-only procedures frequently do. This will be determined by your child's personal health history, comfort, and the approach chosen by your dental professional.

You can be confident that dental professionals are specially trained to assist your child in relaxing. Pediatric dental specialists are also available.