Some infants & toddlers may experience a certain level of tooth decay affecting their baby teeth. However, parents just take it for granted. After all, the baby’s teeth are just temporary. They are not as vital as adult teeth.
Tooth decay is more common than asthma, obesity, and diabetes. Treating the cavities on baby teeth may be different from treating permanent teeth.
Typically, the cavities are treated with fillings. They can prevent cavities from spreading to neighboring teeth. If baby teeth are permeated with cavities and they are left untreated, the cavities could impact the overall teeth development.
What are the Options in Treating Baby Teeth Decay?
Treating a cavity in a baby’s tooth requires removal of the decayed part. There are three options to choose from.
A traditional dental drill is similar to an adult dental drill. It is a common treatment choice. It is a quicker option. Children will be comfortable while their dentists at Reflections Dental are drilling their teeth to remove the decay. Although it is a comfortable option, kids will feel vibrations during the procedure.
The second option is microabrasion. It is different from cosmetic microabrasion. In here, the dentist cuts away the decay using a high-pressure dental device.
It uses a stream of tiny particles at the tooth. It is an ideal option for kids who do not like the vibrations of the drill. However, this option is limited to certain types of tooth cavities. Upon checkup, your child’s dentist at Reflections Dental will determine whether or not this option is viable.
The last option is dental laser light. As the term suggests, it utilizes a laser to cut the decayed part of the tooth and remove it. It is the most comfortable than the other two treatments. However, the treatment can’t take more than two sessions. It is also not possible on teeth with fillings.
Baby’s teeth will fall out eventually. But they are vital to a child while they are developing their adult teeth. They hold the space for the adult teeth to grow in. Losing one can cause the other to shift to the empty area. As a result, it prevents the adult tooth from erupting. It is one of the reasons a child will have a crooked smile.
Furthermore, tooth decay can lead to abscesses, resulting in discomfort for a child. It causes pain. Some kids will stop attending school because of the pain from tooth decay. It may also lead to severe infection.
To prevent decay in baby teeth, you must teach your child proper dental hygiene. You should also check your child’s teeth for any signs of brown spots or white spots. They could indicate tooth decay.
Make sure that you have his/her teeth checked by the dentist at Reflections Dental regularly to identify any signs of tooth decay. In that way, his/her dentist will treat the decay before it starts to affect the entire tooth or neighboring teeth.