Fillings in Baby Teeth: Are They Necessary?

Most parents are devastated when recommended dental fillings for their child by the pediatric dentist near me. Parents are quick to inquire why children need dental fillings in baby teeth which are expected to fall out soon. The answer from dentists is usually yes; dental fillings are essential even for baby teeth expected to fall out eventually because the decayed teeth need fillings to prevent the pollution from spreading and causing more damage.

Why Is Treatment Necessary for Dental Cavities?

Cavities are chronic conditions among children. Babies as young as two are developing cavities due to baby bottle tooth decay, frequent snacking on sugary and starchy foods, and other detrimental habits weakening the thin enamel of their teeth to penetrate it and affect the dentin eventually.

Cavities don’t heal by themselves but continue expanding until the bacteria causing them to reach the soft center of the tooth, the dental pulp. Left untreated, the child may need intensive and expensive treatments like root canals or even extractions with space maintainers unless parents accept the advice of their pediatric dentist to get dental fillings near me in the child’s tooth.

When Do Children Need Dental Fillings?

The pediatric dentist Houston recommends dental fillings for children after an examination if they are complaining about toothaches and notice dark spots on their teeth. Children affected by tooth decay and cavities must have their teeth filled as soon as possible to avoid the adverse consequences for children and their parents.

Cavities are chronic and infectious. Bacteria in the mouth produce acids when exposed to sugars causing cavities. When the acid is allowed to remain on the teeth, it eventually penetrates the enamel and dentin of the tooth. Remineralizing fluoride treatments and dietary changes treat tiny holes affecting the surface enamel to avoid baby fillings. However, the cavity requires early detection because the enamel on the surfaces of the front teeth is weak and thin. When the bacteria penetrate the enamel, the hole begins to expand until it is treated with dental fillings Houston.

Parents of children with cavities may wonder how long do dental fillings last in children’s mouths because of the expenses. Pediatric dentists advise parents that some fillings may last until the ages of six to 13 when most baby teeth exfoliate. Therefore the investment parents make in cavity fillings for children helps safeguard their oral and overall health by preventing the cavities from progressing quickly.

Suppose pediatric dentists detect a cavity in a tooth expected to fall out soon. In that case, they even recommend leaving the tooth by itself if the cavity isn’t causing any problems or extracting the tooth early before spending extra money on it.

What Kind of Fillings Do Children Receive?

Many pediatric dentists provide silver amalgam fillings for children because of their affordable prices with the expectation that children’s teeth will fall out soon. However, the pediatric dentist in Houston recommends tooth-colored composite fillings for children because they are aesthetically pleasing and are healthier than silver amalgam.

Silver amalgam fillings contain mercury, a neurotoxin. Although confirmed as safe by the FDA and used for nearly a century, concerns about their safety remain in many people’s minds. The dentist providing pediatric dental fillings near you and eliminates the problems altogether by choosing to let your child have composite fillings by thoroughly cleaning the child’s affected tooth of any bacteria and preparing it for the filling placement. After receiving composite resin fillings, children also benefit from the many advantages of this material.

Parents not aware of the benefits of tooth-colored fillings are suggested to read the following information providing them insightful knowledge of the benefits and encouraging them not to neglect dental fillings for their children’s cavities when recommended by the dentist.

When cavities are left untreated, they can create severe problems in the child’s mouth to result in more invasive treatments like root canals during childhood. Children as young as two years have undergone root canal treatments and needed dental crowns to restore their fragile teeth. Therefore parents must consider the benefits of tooth-colored dental fillings for their child when recommended by pediatric dentists.

Composite resin fillings are entirely safe and effective than silver amalgam fillings because they contain no mercury. The filling treatment doesn’t require extensive tooth structure removal, ensuring the tooth remains structurally viable. In addition, the filler itself prevents the progression of the cavity from protecting the tooth from further damage. Most importantly, the filling reduces tooth sensitivity and stops toothaches making the child comfortable with eating, biting, and other regular activities.

Besides providing dental fillings for affected teeth, pediatric dentists advise parents to supervise their child’s dietary intake, oral hygiene habits and recommend treatment exams and cleanings to detect cavities and treat them promptly if required.