A Dental Filling Helps Treat Kids’ Cavities

Posted May 25, 2022

When children develop cavities, which could occur in early childhood through their teens, we can offer treatment to prevent the onset of an infection or even the premature loss of a tooth. Dental fillings can address the issue in one visit, and even offer a lifelike appearance. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about fillings for children.

The Dangers of A Cavity

When a child develops a cavity, this will continue to grow and spread throughout the tooth unless addressed with a restorative treatment. Eventually, the decay could cause tooth sensitivity and toothaches, or even the onset of a serious infection or tooth loss! If your little one reports pain in a tooth, let us know right away. Even better, try to attend visits for checkups and cleanings every six months, so we can identify cavities in the earliest possible stages.

Causes

A number of factors could cause tooth decay. For example, when kids eat lots of sugary and starch-rich foods and drinks, this encourages plaque buildup, a bacterial byproduct that weakens and erodes enamel to cause cavities to form. Likewise, lack of proper brushing and flossing each day, or infrequent dental cleanings, can promote plaque and tartar too. Other causes include issues that compromise the exterior of a tooth, such as teeth grinding or an injury that cracks or chips a tooth. As part of the diagnosis, we will identify the factors behind the decay, so your family can make beneficial changes to your oral health routines!

Fillings for Children

If we discover a cavity, we can offer relief with a lifelike and durable dental restoration. Instead of using metal, we use a metal-free composite resin, which is safe for kids of all ages. The material is made of a blend of acrylic-like and glass-like particles, which appears white and offers a more lifelike appearance. Placement is simple. We first use advanced imaging technology to assess the position and extent of the decay. We then numb the tooth, or for kids with anxiety or special needs, we may also recommend sedation.

We gently remove all decay from the tooth and clean it thoroughly. Next, we prepare and place the filling material. We sculpt the tooth as this material cures under a special light. The last step is to polish the tooth for a more attractive appearance. In one visit, this could stop painful decay and bring relief to little smiles!

Do You Have Questions About Treating Cavities?

We want to ensure kids enjoy lifelike and durable treatment for cavities. If you have any questions about addressing cavities for little smiles, then contact your Dallas, TX pediatric dentist, Dr. Marr, by calling (214) 321-4880.