How Long Do Fillings Last on Baby Teeth?

We understand that as a parent, you have to look after your child, which means asking questions about your child’s dental health. For example, are dental fillings for children necessary? How long do dental fillings last on baby teeth? These are some of the most common questions parents ask when bringing in their children for a checkup. We, therefore, took the time to answer all these questions and others in this article.

What Are Baby Teeth?

Baby teeth, also known as milk and primary teeth, are the first teeth to grow. They start developing early during the embryotic stage but erupt approximately 6 months after the baby is born. Children usually lose these teeth as they age and grow new permanent ones as replacements. You are probably wondering why you should take your child for dental filling if their decaying teeth will be replaced.

Why It’s Important to Restore Decaying Milk Teeth?

As you are aware, cavities are one of the most common causes of tooth loss among children of all ages. Children younger than 5 years can develop tooth cavities due to prolonged use of baby feeding bottles. Frequent consumption of sugary food such as candy without good dental hygiene practices can also cause milk teeth to get cavities. Therefore, you should help your child get dental fillings near them as soon as possible.

• Untreated tooth cavities can cause prolonged dental pain and discomfort. They can cause infection, gum disease, and weakening of the jawbone.
• Cavities can indicate underlying problems linked to poor diet and bad oral hygiene. Research also shows that bad oral hygiene in children can cause bad oral health even when they grow to become adults.
• Living with tooth decay may cause your child to have difficulties talking and eating. This can cause them to lose weight and delay speech development.
• Children with severe tooth decay may suffer from tooth loss. This could cause them to lose confidence or get ridiculed for their dental flaws.

Teeth infected with cavities will develop tiny holes which get larger with time. The bacteria from the tooth slowly spreads to the center of the tooth and then the tooth’s pulp. If treatment is still delayed, the bacteria can become even more dangerous as it makes its way to the gums and jawbone, making treatment challenging and expensive.

When you take your child for dental filling in Houston, the dentist will fill up these tiny holes and prevent the cavities from spreading to the entire tooth, adjacent teeth, and gums.

How Long Do Dental Fillings Last on Baby Teeth?

Dental fillings are long-lasting, so you don’t need to worry about them failing soon. You could choose different filling materials for your child’s dental filling. However, pediatric dentists often recommend silver amalgams and composite resin fillings.

Silver amalgams are often preferred for their durability, while composite resin for its natural and attractive appearance. We recommend composite resin over silver amalgam fillings since its filling process is less invasive compared to silver amalgam fillings. It is also long-lasting since it averages a lifespan of 7 years which can e surpassed with good aftercare. Seven years is more than enough time for your child to develop permanent teeth to replace baby teeth, so take your child for dental fillings near you as soon as possible.

How to Protect Your Child From Cavities

Even though there are various ways to restore your child’s decaying tooth, it would be better to prevent dental problems rather than to seek treatment. Here are tips below to safeguard your child’s teeth from decay:

• Take away the feeding bottle once your baby falls asleep.
• Use fluoride toothpaste and a small toothbrush to help your child brush their teeth.
• If your child is under 6 years old, don’t let them brush their teeth alone. Instead, supervise them to ensure they brush their teeth regularly and properly.
• Monitor your child’s diet. Don’t let them eat too much candy as it can damage their teeth.
• Take your child to a pediatric dentist near you for regular checkups and dental cleaning. This will enable the dentist to detect your child’s dental problems early.

Conclusion

Dental fillings are safe and effective for children and adults. Ensure your children eat healthy and brush their teeth regularly to prevent bacteria accumulation which could result from decaying. If your child complains about dental pain and discomfort, take them to Molar Bear Pediatric Dentistry for the best dental fillings in Houston. We offer child-friendly dental care, so our young patients feel comfortable during treatment.