Children can develop cavities due to poor oral hygiene, diet, or a genetic predisposition. Fortunately, there are various cavity treatment options to remove decay and save teeth. Cavity treatment can resolve the problem and improve your child's oral health. If your child has a cavity, our team at Myriam Cerezo, DMD, Pediatric Dentist can help restore and protect their teeth.
Diagnosing a Cavity
Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in children. They are a permanently damaged area in a tooth that occurs due to tooth decay. Patients are often surprised to learn that they have a cavity because early cavities often cause no symptoms and are not visible to the untrained eye. The best way to determine whether a child has a cavity is through a regular dental check-up. We will examine the teeth for any soft spots or visual signs of a cavity during this appointment. X-rays can also help check between the teeth where a visual examination cannot reach. The sooner cavities are detected, the better since early treatment prevents the cavity from getting bigger.
"The best way to determine whether a child has a cavity is through a regular dental check-up."
Cavity Treatment Options
Various cavity treatment options are available depending on the patient's needs. In the early stages, the cavity might be reversible — we may recommend professional fluoride treatments to restore the tooth enamel. If treatment cannot reverse the cavity, the most common treatment is a filling. To place a filling, our team will numb the tooth and drill out the decay, then fill the tooth with the patient's chosen filling material. If a child has extensive decay, they might need extra care, such as a crown or cap to protect the remaining tooth. When we cannot restore a tooth in severe cases, a child may require a tooth extraction — however, tooth extractions are only a last resort.
"In the early stages, the cavity might be reversible."
What To Do About a Suspected Cavity
Parents who suspect that their child has a cavity should schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible. They should let our team know about any symptoms they have noticed in their child. Children may feel nervous or scared before a visit to the dentist for a cavity. Parents can help by reassuring their children that the dentist wants to help keep their teeth healthy. Some books and television shows can also provide helpful, child-friendly explanations of the process.
"Parents who suspect that their child has a cavity should schedule a dental appointment as soon as possible."
Pain and Other Risks of Untreated Cavities
Children who are experiencing dental pain should receive treatment right away. Delaying treatment can put a child's oral health at risk. Tooth decay spreads quickly, and dental problems can worsen without warning. The sooner a child gets their cavity treated, the better. Untreated cavities can lead to an infection in the tooth called a tooth abscess and destroy the inner tooth pulp. Treatment will prevent the problem from worsening or spreading to other teeth. Once the cavity receives treatment, a child's tooth pain and discomfort will disappear.
"Tooth decay spreads quickly, and dental problems can worsen without warning."
Home Treatment Options
In some cases, a child must wait a few days to receive cavity treatment. As a child waits for their appointment, parents should ensure that their child continues brushing and flossing. During mealtimes, offer soft, room-temperature foods and drinks. We also recommend avoiding sharp, crunchy, sticky foods. Our team can also recommend some over-the-counter medications to minimize discomfort and tooth pain. A cold compress against the face and jaw can also provide some relief.
"As a child waits for their appointment, parents should ensure that their child continues brushing and flossing."
Treatments We Offer
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Natural-looking composite fillings that blend seamlessly with your child's teeth.
Stainless Steel Crowns
Durable crowns for severely decayed baby teeth that need full coverage protection.
Baby Root Canal (Pulpotomy)
Treatment to save an infected baby tooth by removing the affected pulp tissue.
Fluoride Treatments
Professional fluoride application to help reverse early-stage cavities and strengthen enamel.
Tooth Extractions
Gentle removal of teeth that cannot be saved, performed with maximum comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Cavity
A permanently damaged area in the hard surface of a tooth that develops into a hole or opening.
Dental Caries
Also known as cavities, result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Filling
Restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Sealants
A solution of plastic material applied to the crown of the tooth to protect from infection.
Enamel
The hard calcified layer that covers the entire tooth and is subject to interaction with multiple substances.
Tooth Extraction
The process of removing a tooth completely from the dental alveolus in the alveolar bone.
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