Wondering why a cavity in your child’s baby teeth requires treatment? Even though your child will eventually lose their baby teeth when their permanent teeth grow in, it is still important to treat their baby teeth, especially when cavities are present. The overall health of your child’s baby teeth is important if you want their permanent teeth to properly grow in. When your child does not take care of their baby teeth, then it is likely they will experience problems with their permanent teeth.
Thinking cavities, also called dental caries, are not such a big deal when they occur in a child’s baby tooth? Tooth decay is what causes cavities to form. Since a buildup of plaque and tartar is what leads to decay, it is essential for children to brush and floss properly in order to remove any plaque or tartar present. When decay is left on the teeth for any period of time, it begins to dissolve a tooth’s enamel, which is there to protect the tooth. Once the enamel begins to dissolve, it creates one or more holes, which are called cavities.
A cavity not only directly affects a tooth, but it can also affect a child’s overall oral health. When cavities are present it can lead to tooth pain, speech impediments, bite alignment problems, self-esteem issues and mouth infections. Children who experience these types of oral problems with their baby teeth will often experience issues once their permanent teeth begin to grow in. This makes early cavity detection an important part of every child’s good oral health care routine.
Signs that a child has a cavity in one or more of their teeth include tooth pain, tooth sensitivity and visible holes in the teeth. When a child has a cavity and is experiencing any type of oral pain, their overall health is in jeopardy. When children are experiencing pain in their mouth, they are less likely to eat due to the pain. This is why early cavity detection is so important in children.
Early cavity detection can save children’s teeth. While parents are encouraged to periodically check their child’s mouth for signs of cavities, only a dental professional can determine whether or not a child indeed has a cavity. When a cavity is found in its earliest stages, a dental filling will prevent the cavity from becoming worse. Once a child receives a filling, their tooth is no longer in jeopardy.
When is the last time you performed a cavity check on your child? The earlier you detect any cavities in your child’s teeth, the better their chances of experiencing good oral health. Tooth decay in children is quite common and a reason why they need to be closely monitored when brushing and flossing their teeth. Many families choose to make oral health care a family affair, which helps children understand just how important taking good care of their teeth really is.
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