How We Treat And Prevent Childhood Cavities

Posted May 15, 2025

Cavities are a serious concern that can impact babies, toddlers, and children of all ages. Without treatment, the teeth could begin to ache and even develop infection. But our team can help prevent and even treat tooth decay. In today’s blog, your Dallas, TX, pediatric dentist talks about treating and preventing childhood cavities.

The Causes of Tooth Decay

How does a cavity form in your child’s smile? Each tooth is coated in a thin layer of enamel, the toughest substance in the human body. This protects the sensitive inner tooth structure from exposure to bacteria. But when a tooth is injured, or when factors like poor brushing and flossing and a diet high in sugar lead to plaque buildup, this could weaken and erode enamel. Cavities then form that will grow in severity unless treated. We want to help stop painful cavities, while also offering care that limits the risk of them forming in the first place.

Treatment with a Dental Filling

First, what do we do once a cavity forms? If your little one complains about pain or sensitivity in a tooth, then schedule a visit right away. Our team can then examine the tooth and if we find signs of a cavity, we can offer treatment. If you attend checkup and cleaning visits with our team every six months, then we can likely catch tooth decay in the earliest stages, before discomfort arises and before a cavity becomes an infection.

Our team can offer relief with a dental filling, which takes only one visit to place. We will first numb the tooth so your child is comfortable as we remove decay and clean the tooth. We may etch the outer surfaces too. We then prepare and place the filling material, a metal-free composite resin that is safe for children of all ages. As we cure the composite resin under a light, we will sculpt and mold the tooth. Finally, we polish it for a brighter appearance. The entire process only takes one visit!

Fluoride Treatments

But how do we help prevent cavities? Our team can talk to your children about proper brushing and flossing habits and how to avoid too much sugar and starch. We can also conduct a cleaning every six months to remove plaque and tartar that could weaken and erode the outer enamel. Butin the same visit we can also apply fluoride treatments. A naturally-occurring mineral, fluoride strengthens the outer tooth enamel, even weakened portions, to help prevent cavities. The application process only takes a few seconds, and children just need to avoid food and drink for about a half hour as it cures. Fluoride is so helpful that we also recommend fluoride toothpaste for your children, with those under the age of three using a rice-sized amount, and kids over the age of three using a pea-sized blot.

Dental Sealants

When children do brush and floss, they often have a hard time reaching the molars in the back of the mouth. This means that food and drink particles can remain trapped there for bacteria to consume, a process that elevates oral acidity and coats the teeth in plaque and tartar, eventually causing tooth decay. But we can help with dental sealants. We will first dry these teeth and then apply a special acrylic coating, which takes seconds to apply. Kids then avoid meals and drinks for about a half hour as the material cures thoroughly. The sealants can remain in place for up to ten years and prevent food and drink particles from being caught between the molars. This helps reduce the risk of tooth decay in little smiles! The material will wear away on its own with time, but we can re-apply as needed.

If you have any questions about how we help kids with children’s dentistry, and how we can lower the risk of tooth decay or even treat them in one sitting, then contact our team today. Now is a great time for a checkup and cleaning, so your kids can start their summer break with bright and healthy smiles!

PDC Kids Is Ready to Safeguard Little Smiles

Our team wants to help protect kids from issues like a cavity, so they can smile with confidence and avoid painful symptoms and the risk of premature tooth loss. To find out more about fillings and preventive treatments like fluoride and dental sealants, call Pediatric Dental Care at Casa Linda in Dallas, TX, today at (214) 321-4880. Our team wants to help your kids smile with confidence and enjoy better oral health for years to come.