Is treating baby teeth cavities essential?
Yes, you need to treat cavities in baby teeth. The bond with sweets and the children is unbreakable. So the risk of cavities in the teeth too. Indeed, the baby teeth do not last forever, and permanent teeth are going to replace the baby teeth.
Some people think that the baby teeth are going to fall anyway, so baby teeth are not as important as permanent teeth. It is utterly wrong. Please be careful with your baby teeth cavities.
Because if you ignore it may lead to serious dental problems. If the baby teeth broke early, the part that left interrupts to permanent teeth to come out, causing extreme pain and infections.
The cavities in a baby tooth, also called caries, are the most frequent infection among the children. Here the baby tooth is going to decay resulting cavities in the tooth. The reason is the breakdown of the tooth enamel. Baby tooth cavities should be treated immediately to control the spreading or to worsen the cavities.
Cavities of baby teeth could be developed as soon as the first tooth comes out. So a healthy oral care routine should start from the beginning.
Causes of baby teeth cavities
Acid-producing bacteria and other things develop cavities. Food containing carbohydrates such as fruit juices, cereals, sweets, candy, or sodas can be left between the teeth, and bacteria that generally live inside the mouth can turn them into acids. Leftovers, saliva, and acid remains between teeth and produce plaque. Plaque sticks to teeth and makes a place for bacteria to live. Acid-producing bacteria eats the enamel and create cavities in baby teeth.
Acid-producing bacteria can pass through the saliva. Sharing the cups or spoons of babies, testing the food before feeding the baby can pass the bacteria directly to the baby’s mouth.
Breastfeeding throughout the night or exposing the baby’s mouth for foods and liquids other than water also a reason for the tooth decay of babies. Parents or caregivers tend to put the babies with a bottle with a liquid such as milk, juices, or sweet drinks frequently can cause damage to the teeth of the babies.
Poor oral hygiene is familiar with the children. They are skipping brushing and flossing at night, causing severe damage to teeth.
Limitation of fluoride can also cause damage to your teeth.
Symptoms of tooth cavities in children
It is quite easy to spot the cavities on the baby tooth. But a professional dentist can only diagnose the severity of the damage and treat the cavities. Regular dental checkups can reduce the problems, but if you notice the symptoms, better to meet the dentist soon.
- Visible spots and cavities
Firstly, White spots starting from the gum line. These spots indicate the breaking of tooth enamel.
Then light brown color cavities appearing.
When the cavities become more extensive and more deep-rooted, they get black or dark brown.
- Extreme pain while eating, biting, chewing, brushing or flossing
- Bad breath or lousy taste inside the mouth
- Bleeding and swelling gums
- Tooth sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods
These symptoms are not affecting every child in the same way. Some children do not feel any pain, and they do not know about the cavities until the doctor finds out.
Dentists can diagnose the tooth cavities by a full examination inside the mouth and by using dental x-rays.
Impact of the baby teeth cavities
- With the severe pain causing when eating or drinking, children refuse to eat or drink. So the necessary nutrients can be missed out from the child’s diet.
- The child unable to speak well, and it directly affects the self-esteem of the child.
- Obstructions can happen to the permanent teeth to come out straight and healthy.
- Missing treatments lead to spread the cavities into nearby teeth as well.
How to cure cavities
The decayed part of the damaged tooth need removes for the treatments. Then, restore the tooth with a tooth filling or remove the plaque between the teeth. Your dentist chooses the treatment after examining the damage of the tooth, age of the child, and the symptoms.
Direct restorations and indirect restorations are the methods of treating cavities of baby teeth.
An indirect restoration is using when the tooth is healthy enough to remain. The small cavities are treated with indirect restoration. First, the cavity should be cleaned and then fill the tooth with silver, porcelain, or composite resin filling.
Indirect restorations are bit complex, here the decayed part of the removed and replaced with a laboratory-made substance. Crowns, bridges, inlays or onlays restorations are using in indirect restorations. These are done with gold, ceramics, or composites.
How to prevent cavities in baby teeth
- Start brushing your baby’s teeth soon after the first tooth appears. Born to 12 months, use a washcloth and gently wipe the gums of the baby every day. Soon after, the first tooth appears to use a soft baby brush and use a very tiny amount of fluoride toothpaste to brush the baby’s teeth twice a day. Remind yourself to clean the baby’s tongue as well.
- Never let the child go to sleep with a feeding bottle. Practice your child to use a cup for drinking.
- Drinking water should be fluoridated water.
- Floss your child’s teeth after the age of 2.
- Limit the foods with high sugar, snacks, candy, or sweetened drinks. Train your child to wash the mouth after eating such foods.
- Don’t use baby’s utensils to prevent transferring bacteria from your mouth to the baby’s mouth via saliva. Inform the caregivers as well.
- Meet a dentist once every six months to check your child’s teeth.
Baby teeth are important as much as permanent teeth. Tooth decay can be treated. The right care and attention can save your child’s smile for a lifetime.
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