Kids cavity is a common dental problem among children. Tooth decay could form in a child’s baby teeth and leave permanent damage on them. Unfortunately, some parents tend to disregard its impact on their kid’s dental health. Primarily because they think that their tooth will fall off eventually. You can prevent cavities by teaching your kids proper oral hygiene and visiting a kid-friendly dentist regularly. Woonona Dentists’ clinic located near Wollongong, NSW offers child-friendly dental services at an affordable price. Check out this link to find out more.
Causes of Cavity In Kids
There are many reasons why kids develop cavities. However, the root cause of it starts when a plaque starts to form and eat out the tooth enamel which results in a hole. Plaque is a sticky substance that wraps the teeth and it develops when the bacteria in the mouth gets in contact with acids, food, and saliva.
Proper oral hygiene is needed in order to prevent cavities to form. Poor oral care is one of the reasons why most kids develop cavity and tooth decay. It’s not uncommon for kids to neglect their hygiene, sometimes they even skip tooth brushing on purpose. Thus, causing bacteria to invade and cause a cavity.
Another reason why cavities are so prominent among kids is that most of them are not taught to floss at all. Flossing is an important part of the oral care regimen as it removes the food particles that toothbrushes can’t reach.
It is also important to look into their diet. Children who often eat sugary, sweet, and starchy foods are more at risk of cavities.
Some studies also conclude that having cavities may be due to genetics as well.
Signs Of Cavity
The cavity in kids is not easy to distinguish. Here are some of the signs that often show up if a child has cavities.
- dark or white spots on the tooth
- tooth sensitivity to hot and cold drinks
- swollen mouth
- no appetite
- lethargy
If your child starts to manifest symptoms of cavities, bring them to the pediatric dentist immediately. They will be able to determine where decay is starting to form and recommend a treatment suitable for children with baby teeth.
Treatment For Children With Cavities
The safest treatment for kids is a dental filling, as a matter of fact, dentists perform dental fillings on kids as young as 1 to 2 years old. It is often used for permanent teeth but it is also an effective solution for baby teeth.
The treatment will conclude in the following order:
- Diagnosis. This is where the dentist will determine the areas where cavities are forming.
- After the examination, the dentist will remove the tooth decay.
- A white resin composite material will be placed to fill the hole.
Even though baby teeth are meant to fall off eventually, it’s still important to have them restored as the damage can have significant effects on the upcoming permanent tooth. Aside from this, your kids’ temporary teeth play a vital role in their speech and chewing skills.
In rare cases where tooth decay is severe and highly infected, tooth extraction might be the only solution. But there is nothing to worry about because the dentist will leave an open gap in the gums to help the permanent tooth to grow correctly.
Dental appointments are often frightening for children. They usually feel terrified just by sitting on a dental chair. So to make the procedure faster and easier, kids are typically given anesthetics to help them relax and stay calm.
The anesthesia can either be in the form of gas or injectables. If the child still feels uneasy despite the laughing gas, sedation might be recommended.
Prevention
It’s always better to know the preventative measures than undergoing treatments for cavities. You can save your kids’ baby teeth by teaching them proper oral care as early as you can.
But when exactly should you start imposing oral hygiene on them?
You can start cleaning their mouth even though their teeth are not erupting yet. Use a damp cloth to clean the gums and tongue to remove bacteria.
Once they start teething, get them a toothbrush and toothpaste for children. Use a little bit of toothpaste with fluoride and brush their teeth, gums, and tongue gently. If their teeth are starting to touch, it’s time to introduce floss to your child.
When they reach the age of 2, they should be able to learn how to brush and spit on their own. Be sure to guide them all the time to avoid swallowing toothpaste.
Be a role model as well, kids copy what adults do so it’s better to do your oral care routine together. Show them how to properly brush their teeth and let them do it on their own. Explain to them the importance of oral hygiene and the disadvantages of not brushing their teeth.
If possible, avoid putting a baby to sleep with a bottle in their mouth. This can cause negative effects on the growth of their teeth and baby bottle tooth decay. This is a condition where the front teeth get pocked or pitted. Cavities might start to manifest which results in tooth decay.
You can also prevent cavities by avoiding foods that are sugary, starchy, and sweet. While it’s almost impossible to talk your kids out of their cravings for sweets, you can try different alternatives which they will surely like:
- berries
- trail mix
- bananas
- yogurt
- cheese sticks
- applesauce
- dried fruits
- granola bars
As your child grows, their teeth are also gradually developing and growing. To prevent kids’ cavities, it’s also important to have them visit their dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings. Pediatric dentists can help detect the early signs of decay and cavity. This saves your child from unprecedented dental problems and prevents you from spending money on treatments, procedures, and dental appointments. Choose a clinic near you, with clean facilities and experienced staff, and let your child get the care they need.
