What can I do if my child has a cavity?
Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, and almost always leads to dental caries, more commonly known as cavities. In fact, most Americans have had at least 1 cavity by the time they reach adulthood. Fortunately, they are simple to treat, and easy to prevent. A dental filling can treat cavities within an hour-long appointment. And by making sure your child visits their dentist for regular cleanings and exams every 6 months, you can help your little one prevent cavities altogether.
How it works: The dental filling treatment process for your child
Filling The Tooth
After selecting a composite resin material that matches the color of your child’s tooth, the dentist will apply it directly into the cavity. Using dental tools, the filling material will be shaped so that it looks and feels like part of your child’s natural tooth structure. Refinements are made to ensure that your child’s bite feels natural, which completes the treatment.
Common causes of cavities
Poor Nutrition & Sugary Foods
The bacteria that cause cavities love to feed on sugars and simple carbohydrates. Because of this, a proper diet and nutrition are essential for preventing cavities.
As a rule, if you give your child food that is good for their body, it will be good for their teeth, too. Choose water and milk over fruit juice and soda. For meals and snacks, feed them fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meats, healthy dairy products like yogurt, and whole grains. You should avoid feeding them excessively processed, sugary foods and starchy snacks like cookies, potato chips, candy, and snack cakes.
Poor Oral Hygiene Habits
Your child’s teeth must be brushed twice a day for two minutes. If you are not brushing your child’s teeth properly or they are not brushing as you instruct them to, they will have a much higher risk for cavities. Good oral hygiene habits help eliminate bacteria, sugar, and acid, and keep your child’s smile healthy.
Improper Brushing & Flossing Techniques
Even if your child is brushing and flossing regularly, improper techniques can reduce the effectiveness of their oral hygiene habits. If they only brush for 30 seconds instead of 2 minutes, for example, they won’t clean their teeth thoroughly, and could be at a higher risk of developing cavities. Observe your children as they learn to brush and floss, and supervise them to make sure they are using the proper techniques and thoroughly cleaning their mouths.
Genetics
Studies have shown that around 60% of tooth decay involves genetic factors. Some children may be born with weaker enamel than others, which can raise the risk of developing cavities, even with proper nutrition and diet, good oral hygiene, and regular visits to the dentist.
Have questions about cavities and fillings? Find answers here.
What are signs that my child may have a cavity?
Your child may report feelings of sensitivity or discomfort when chewing, eating hot or cold foods, or eating very sugary foods. This is a common sign of a cavity. More advanced decay may result in intermittent toothaches and pain.
You may also be able to recognize visual indicators of tooth decay. If you look inside your child’s mouth and see a dark brown or black stain on their tooth, or you think that you can see visible pits or holes in your child’s tooth, it may be a cavity or tooth decay. If you suspect that your child has a cavity, contact your child’s dentist right away for an oral exam.
My child hasn’t complained about pain or sensitivity. Why do they need a filling?
Cavities aren’t always deep enough to cause pain or discomfort, but this doesn’t mean that they can be ignored. Over time, cavities will always become more serious, and could even result in an infected tooth if they are not treated. We highly recommend contacting your child’s dentist about treatment with a filling or SDF (silver diamine fluoride) if you suspect your child has a cavity, even if they aren’t feeling any discomfort or pain.
Are dental fillings painful?
No. Dental fillings do not hurt at all. In fact, after having a filling placed, your child won’t have to worry about tooth pain or sensitivity caused by a cavity, so they can smile brightly and eat their favorite foods without any more discomfort.
The process of getting a filling is minimally-invasive, and your child’s mouth will be numbed to ensure they don’t feel any pain. In addition, we offer sedation to make sure that your child can remain completely comfortable.
How do fillings keep my child’s smile healthy?
Fillings are used to replace decayed enamel, which will continue to degrade if it’s left untreated. Your dentist prepares the tooth by removing any remaining unhealthy enamel, and then it’s replaced with the filling material.
This stops the progression of the cavity by eliminating all damaged tooth material, as well as the bacteria that contributes to decay. In turn, this keeps your child’s smile bright and healthy.
Are dental fillings for children covered by insurance?
Yes. Dental fillings for kids are usually covered in some way by most insurance policies, though you may be subject to a deductible or yearly maximum coverage for your child, depending on your insurance plan. As always, we recommend contacting your insurer directly if you have any questions about your child’s coverage and want to make sure that their fillings will be covered.
