Pediatric dentistry is an important branch of dentistry that is tailored to ensure young people receive quality dental care. Pediatric dentists can help parents set their kids up for a lifetime of good oral health. It is usually distressing to learn that a child has a cavity in one of their teeth. If cavities are not treated, it can lead to negative consequences for both the children and parents. Fortunately, a pediatric dentist can keep your kid’s teeth healthy.
Tooth decay is basically the breakdown of tooth enamel. Tooth decay can eventually lead to cavities, which are holes in the teeth. Tooth decay can be caused by bacteria. It occurs when foods that contain carbohydrates are left on the teeth.
Such foods include soda, milk, candy, cake, raisins, fruit juices, bread and cereals. Bacteria that live in the mouth often change these foods, making acids. The combination of food, bacteria, saliva and acid form a substance, referred to as plaque, that ends up sticking on the teeth. After some time, the acids made by bacteria eventually eat away at the tooth enamel, which causes cavities.
All kids are at risk of developing tooth decay because all kids have bacteria in their mouths. But certain factors can raise a child’s risk for it. These include poor oral hygiene, a diet high in starches and sugars and high levels of the bacteria that end up causing cavities. Other factors include less saliva flow than normal and water supply that has either minimal or no fluoride in it.
If a kid has a cavity in a baby tooth, it often means that bad oral bacteria are eating away at the structure of the tooth and causing decay. To stop the process of decay, a small drill will be used by the dentist to remove the infected area. The hole will then be sealed with filling material. Several different types of fillings can be used by a dentist.
This will depend on the extent of the decay. The dentist will determine the ideal material for the situation of the child. After it has been applied, the filling will help rebuild the tooth structure. This will ensure it can function normally and help prevent further decay.
If not treated, dental decay can become worse and eventually lead to more serious oral health problems. Some problems caused by childhood cavities include advanced dental infections, mouth pain and gum disease. Others also include damage to permanent teeth, disrupted speech development and even tooth loss. Treatment will depend on a myriad of factors.
These include the symptoms of the child, age and general health. It will also be based on the severity of the condition. Most times, treatment involves the removal of the decayed part of the child’s tooth and then replacing it with a dental filling. If you want to find out more about pediatric dentistry for your child, talk to your pediatric dentist.
Request an appointment here: https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry at (845) 363-4177 for an appointment in our Middletown office.
Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.
For immediate dental care for your child, an emergency pediatric dentist is the right person to visit. This dentist can assess, diagnose and treat a variety of oral health issues, including the most severe problems. As a parent, you can take comfort in knowing that your child’s well-being is in good hands when you visit…
Dentistry for children is critical for your son or daughter. From the time your child first starts getting teeth, you should make appointments. The dentist will help your child maintain healthy, strong teeth. This is also the right place to turn to address tooth pain and cosmetic issues.For most children, the first teeth emerge around…
When it comes to ensuring your child’s teeth are healthy, establishing a relationship with a pediatric dentistry is an important step in helping children learn good oral habits and catching cavities and other common issues early on. A pediatric dentist is skilled in taking care of both primary and adult teeth and is familiar with…
Those who follow pediatric dentistry understand how vital the work is. Dealing with patients as young as infants may prove challenging to those who are not prepared. Parents often rely on these providers' advice to help their children. When it comes to caring for a child's dental health, a toothache may become a huge problem.…
For immediate dental care for your child, an emergency pediatric dentist is the right person to visit. This dentist can assess, diagnose and treat a variety of oral health issues, including the most severe problems. As a parent, you can take comfort in knowing that your child’s well-being is in good hands when you visit…
Dentistry for children is critical for your son or daughter. From the time your child first starts getting teeth, you should make appointments. The dentist will help your child maintain healthy, strong teeth. This is also the right place to turn to address tooth pain and cosmetic issues.For most children, the first teeth emerge around…