No matter how well you teach your child to brush and floss their teeth, there is still a chance they will form a cavity or two. High-sugar foods and drinks, hard-to-reach areas in the mouth, and other factors increase a child's risk of developing dental caries (cavities).
Surfside Smile Co. wants your child to have a healthy smile, which is why we encourage regular dental visits starting when that first tooth erupts. We also have other tools to help keep your child's teeth healthy, including fluoride treatments and dental sealants.
How do cavities form in kids, and what can you do at home to stop it?
How do cavities form in kids? Does it differ from cavities in adults? Do you have to fix cavities if they're in baby teeth, since those teeth will fall out eventually anyway?
Cavities are the result of tooth decay, which is the breakdown of the materials in your tooth, particularly the minerals that keep your enamel strong. A common myth is that sugar directly causes cavities.
Sugar itself doesn't cause cavities, but the acids in your mouth do, and those are created by bacteria converting sugars and other foods. Sugars and starches contribute more to acid production than other foods, but acid in the foods themselves can also do damage. This includes acids from citrus fruits, sodas, tomato products, coffee, and other such foods and drinks.
These substances and acids build up on teeth and form plaque, which erodes the minerals in tooth enamel. Eventually, that enamel thins, allowing the bacteria to eat through it, creating a hole or cavity.
If left untreated, that hole can extend through the second protective layer of the tooth, called the dentin. This protects the pulp, the living interior of the tooth. The nerves and blood vessels are contained in the pulp. When bacteria reach the pulp, that's when the tooth becomes painful.
What if the cavity is in a baby tooth? Is there any point in fixing a cavity in a tooth that will fall out eventually? The answer is yes! Baby teeth are necessary for proper eating and digestion, but they also aid in speech. Plus, damaged pulp can become infected without proper treatment, and that infection can affect the surrounding gum tissue and the permanent teeth developing underneath.
Baby teeth definitely get cavities, and often get them faster than permanent teeth. There are several reasons for this.
Cavities have symptoms just like any health issue. Not all children will have all or any of these symptoms, and the severity of the cavity affects which symptoms appear.
Symptoms include:
These may not be noticed right away, which is why it's important to visit the dentist regularly.
The best way is to ensure your child visits the dentist at least twice a year for examinations and cleanings. Surfside Smile Co. will use digital imaging and X-rays to find weak spots in your children's teeth and the beginning of possible cavities. We also thoroughly clean your child's teeth and gums.
We also offer dental sealants, which can fill the hard-to-clean grooves in the teeth and form a protective layer that prevents bacteria from penetrating the teeth. We recommend them for your child's back teeth, which are harder for them to reach and are used for most chewing.
It's also important to teach your child good oral hygiene habits at home. Make sure they brush and floss regularly and do so correctly. They should brush at least twice a day for 2 minutes each. They should also floss at least once a day before brushing. This ensures they brush away the debris the floss pulls out from between the teeth.
It's also important to make sure your child eats a healthy, balanced diet and gets enough nutrients to keep their teeth, gums, and bones strong and healthy.
Pain and discoloration are the most common symptoms, but tooth sensitivity may be another indication. If you notice your child is favoring one side of their mouth over the other when chewing, it might be a good idea to bring them in for a pediatric dental examination.
Yes! Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth. Plus, you don't want the cavity to develop into an infection that can harm their gums or permanent teeth.
Make sure they brush and floss their teeth daily and eat a nutritious, balanced diet. Bring them in for their regular dental examinations and cleanings. You might also consider dental sealants or fluoride treatments if your child seems prone to getting cavities.
Surfside Smile Co. knows it isn't easy to get your kids to eat right, brush, and floss daily. Cavities happen even to the most diligent families, and we're here to help when they do. Schedule an appointment for pediatric dentistry in Middletown, NJ, with Surfside Smile Co. We've got your little one's smile covered.
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Call 732-639-0011 or request an appointment online to set up your first visit. We’ll be in touch soon.