Cavities/Tooth Decay/Caries
Tooth decay leads to cavities in kids. While some toddler cavities are preventable, kids tooth decay occurs for many reasons. You need the services of a trained pediatric dentist to not only provide treatment of white spot legions and other signs of tooth decay, but also educate your kids in healthy dental health habits. Call Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Woodbridge, New Jersey, on the Lower East Side of Manhattan or in Harlem — to deliver tooth decay treatment for kids as young as two.
What Is Kids Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay in kids occurs when food particles and bacteria form in a child’s mouth to create plaque, a sticky coating on the surface of the teeth. Over time, the bacteria in the plaque produce acid that then begins to erode the tooth’s hard shell. If it’s not treated, plaque causes small holes or cavities in kids’ teeth. The causes of toddler cavities include:
- Frequent snacking
- Sipping sugary drinks
- Bacteria left on your kids’ teeth
- Not cleaning teeth well
- Chronic allergies
- Frequent use of asthma inhalers
Even your child’s baby or primary teeth can develop cavities. Since toddlers resist practicing regular brushing and flossing habits, toddler tooth decay isn’t uncommon. Fortunately, Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry in both Woodbridge, New Jersey and Manhattan, offers special pediatric dentistry services to ensure that your children’s teeth are well cared for.
Since some kids are easily distracted, you may have difficulty getting them to admit to tooth pain. Your best bet is to watch their eating hab-its and dispel any fear of dentists, which is what the professionals at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry specialize in. Regular visits help catch signs of toddler cavities early and deliver treatment of white spot lesions.
How Early Does Tooth Decay Start?
Pediatric dentists recommend that you schedule a first dentist visit for your child starting around age two, when their first teeth start to erupt. At that time, they can detect early signs of toddler tooth decay.Some babies develop tooth decay early, due to reasons that include:
Chalky teeth. This condition causes some spots of creamy-brown or a chalk-like color to appear on your child’s teeth. Most often, this happens on the back teeth or molars, which are more difficult to examine. The cause may be that the enamel didn’t harden properly when the tooth formed in the fetus. Because these teeth are weak, there’s a high risk of tooth decay.
Bottle-feeding problem. The lactose in milk tends to build up on teeth, which erodes the enamel. A baby’s mouth contains less saliva while they sleep, so when you put your baby to sleep with a bottle, the natural saliva can’t protect the teeth from decay.
The most prevalent condition in American children is early childhood cavities. Kids tooth decay that starts early in life is likely to worsen over time, possibly resulting in a lifetime of dental caries. Your pediatric den-tist is trained in the treatment of white spot lesions and other childhood dental issues.
How Do I Prevent Caries in Children?
Tooth decay in kids creates caries, which are small, early cavities. To prevent
tooth decay, caries and cavities in children, it’s recommended that you schedule regular dental health visits to detect an early tooth cavity.
These skilled dentists have received specialized training that enables them to
treat children’s teeth and gums. Pediatric dentists offer complete care, including cleanings and other preventative measures for:
- Kids who experience dental anxiety
- Children with sensitive teeth
- Emergency dental care
What’s the Best Tooth Decay Treatment for Kids?
Tooth decay treatment for kids depends on the symptoms, age and general health of your child. For mild cases of kids cavities, this pediatric dental practice in NJ and in NYC offers services that include:
- White fillings for kids, which can be performed on both permanent and baby teeth
- BPA-free fillings, which are safer than silver amalgam fillings
Saving a primary tooth is crucial because losing a baby tooth can lead to an improper eruption of a permanent tooth. In most severe cases, when your dentist can’t save a decayed tooth with a filling, other preventive measures are required. Other tooth decay treatments for kids include:
- Root canal treatments, to remove an infected tooth root
- White crowns for primary teeth, to protect a tooth or improve its appearance
- Tooth extractions as a last resort, to remove a tooth that can’t be saved
If your dentist finds your kids can’t sit still for a dental procedure or they have dental anxiety, laughing gas or another sedative may be used to calm them. Pediatric dentists know how to perform dental procedures with children, but familiarity breeds relaxation. Contact the team at Tiny Smiles Pediatric Dentistry — in Manhattan on the Lower East Side or in Harlem and in Woodbridge, NJ — to catch toddler tooth decay and introduce your kids to dental procedures that they may need their whole lives.
