Does Your Child’s Tooth Need a Filling?
When you child complains of a toothache, or exhibits other signs of a concern with their teeth, it isn’t easy to diagnose the cause of it on your own. Therefore, it can be difficult or impossible to help your child find any lasting relief from their discomfort, much less prevent it from returning and progressing. For many children, the cause of a toothache is the formation of a cavity, which is a product of tooth decay developing in their natural tooth structure. Today, we examine what a cavity could mean for your child, and how a tooth filling can help alleviate their toothache and save their remaining tooth structure.
When is a tooth filling necessary?
Tooth fillings aren’t like routine dental checkups and cleanings. They’re only recommended when necessary, and they have a very specific purpose – to treat cavities. The good news is that fillings can treat cavities of varying sizes and severities, making it possible to save your child’s tooth even if the cavity has grown larger than you expected. The process involves carefully cleaning the cavity to remove any traces of harmful oral bacteria, as well as any lingering infected tooth structure. Then, the dentist fills the cavity in your child’s tooth with a tooth-colored, biocompatible material known as composite resin.
What the cavity means for your child’s tooth
There are several reasons why treating your child’s cavity with a tooth filling as soon as possible is important. For one, it’s the only way for your child to permanently relive the pain in their tooth, which will grow more intense the longer the cavity is left untreated. Also, the continue growing larger, eroding more of your child’s healthy, natural tooth structure. If you hesitate to have the cavity treated, there’s a chance that the infection in your child’s tooth could become much more severe. If this occurs, then a filling might not be enough to remove all of the decay and save your child’s tooth.
Treating the cavity before it gets worse
Sometimes, your child’s cavity might be more severe than it seems at the moment. For instance, the toothache they feel may seem mild, but the decay can be significant by the time you bring your child to the dentist to treat it. Because the symptoms aren’t always an accurate reflection of the cavity’s severity, it’s important to bring your child to the dentist as soon as they notice any tooth sensitivity. By treating the cavity as early as possible, you can give your child a better chance at preserving their healthy smile and avoiding the need for more involved tooth restoration.
Learn if your child’s tooth needs a filling
If your child develops a cavity in their tooth, then a biocompatible dental filling could be essential to saving the tooth from more severe consequences. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX today at 214-321-4880. We proudly serve patients who live around Casa Linda and all surrounding Dallas communities.
filed under: Restorations for Kids