what to do for a 3 year old who has cavities?
Cavities in toddlers are, unfortunately, a mutual occurrence. Co-ordinate to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Inquiry, 42% of children aged two to 11 will develop at to the lowest degree ane cavity. Beingness enlightened of the signs and symptoms of cavities in your children volition let you to seek out treatment in a timely mode to prevent further damage to the teeth.
Make certain y'all schedule your baby's first visit to the dentist as soon as the outset tooth erupts from the gums. And of course, the best way to treat cavities in baby teeth is to prevent them from happening in the beginning identify.
Here's the lowdown on cavities in toddlers, from symptoms, to handling, to prevention.
Does Your Toddler Have Cavities?
In gild to determine if your child has a crenel, there are several visual signs you tin can look out for. White spots on the teeth are early on signifiers of tooth decay, simply that doesn't hateful in that location'southward a cavity nonetheless. When a cavity forms, information technology volition exist light dark-brown in colour at first. As the cavity worsens, it will plough a deeper shade of brown.
Often, y'all tin can tell if your child has a cavity if they commencement complaining of symptoms. Physical symptoms of cavities in toddlers include:
- Pain in the area around the affected molar
- Sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods
If your kid starts complaining of whatsoever pain or sensitivity, it's time to make an engagement with their dentist.
What Causes Cavities In Baby Teeth?
Most likely, if your toddler has cavities, they are caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs in your toddler's oral cavity when bacteria accumulate over time. The leaner create acid that erodes enamel over time. When the enamel gets worn away, the modest holes that are left are called cavities.
While you can't eliminate 100% of bacteria in your child'south mouth, there are certain behaviors that put your child at a higher risk for tooth decay. These behaviors include:
- Eating a diet high in sugar or starches.
Bacteria convert sugar into acrid, so any sugar that lingers on teeth creates a breeding ground for tooth decay. Starches get broken down by saliva into sugars, and then too many starches are just as bad as sugary foods. - Not adhering to expert oral hygiene habits.
Since proper brushing and flossing removes bacteria and bits of nutrient debris, skipping these routines lets bacteria run amok. - Drinking water with low or no fluoride content.
Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel.
If your child engages in any of these behaviors, they're likely at a loftier hazard for cavities.
Composite Fillings to Treat Cavities In Baby Teeth
The handling for cavities in toddlers consists of a composite filling, which is a molar-colored filling that will fill up in the hole and protect the tooth from further damage. Composite fillings tin can typically be completed in just ane visit. When your child comes in for the procedure, the dentist will start by using local anesthesia to numb their teeth and gums.
After your child is prepped, the dentist will remove whatsoever decay from the affected molar and clean the expanse. They will then apply tooth-colored composite to the cavity, using a special low-cal to cure and harden the composite.
When the blended is hardened, the dentist volition cheque to make certain the filling is comfortable. They can file down the filling as needed. Composite fillings are durable enough to last through normal wear and tear. As long as your child follows proper oral hygiene habits, you can expect their filling to terminal until the molar falls out.
Generally, children experience minimal to no discomfort during toddler crenel treatments. If you're concerned that your child might have a difficult time with the procedure, sedation dentistry is always an option that you can hash out with the dentist.
How To Prevent Toddler Tooth Decay
While cavities in toddlers aren't hard to treat, the best affair to do for your child is to work towards preventing cavities through diligent babe and toddler oral intendance. In that location are enough of means that you and your child tin reduce their risk for cavities. Remember, the best method of how to treat cavities in babe teeth is to prevent them in the first identify.
- Start brushing early. Equally presently as your child's teeth come in, parents should start cleaning teeth with water, later building up to using toothpaste.
- Engaging in proper oral hygiene. To avoid cavities in toddlers, teach them to brush their teeth twice a solar day for two minutes at a time and to floss one time a day. If they're likewise immature to practice it on their own, parents should castor their children's teeth for them.
- Use fluoridated toothpaste. You lot can introduce toothpaste with fluoride once your child is 2 years old.
- Don't let your child go to bed with a bottle. Babe bottle decay occurs when your child's teeth have prolonged exposure to sugary liquids like juice. If your child needs a canteen at bedtime, always choose h2o.
- Avoid sugary and starchy foods. Exposing the teeth to sugar allows bacteria to create enamel-eroding acids that cause cavities in toddlers' baby teeth. If your child does accept a sugary snack, brush their teeth afterward to limit exposure.
- Make regular visits to the dentist. Your kid should beginning seeing the dentist every bit presently as their teeth come up in or earlier their first altogether. After that, they should see the dentist every six months for regular checkups and cleanings to keep toddler tooth disuse at bay.
While cavities in toddlers are a common problem, they're non inevitable. If y'all aid your child learn proper oral hygiene habits, it volition aid go on their teeth salubrious as they abound up.
Whether your child needs treatment for a cavity or just needs their regular checkup and cleaning, the hard-working team at Tooth Fairy Pediatric Dental is here to serve your needs.
Contact united states of america today to make an date at whatever of our six convenient locations in the Reno area.
Source: https://toothfairypediatricdental.com/cavities-toddlers-look-dentist-can-treat/#:~:text=The%20treatment%20for%20cavities%20in,completed%20in%20just%20one%20visit.
0 Response to "what to do for a 3 year old who has cavities?"
Post a Comment