Helping Children Who Have Cavities
Our team understands that the risk of cavities is high for kids of all ages. Fortunately, our team knows how to not only prevent cavities, but to offer lifelike treatment for the decay in their smiles. In today’s blog, your Cleveland, TX, dentist will discuss how we help children by treating cavities, or keeping tooth decay at bay.
Tooth Decay in Childhood
When kids consume diets high in sugary foods and drinks, and don’t properly brush and floss, this is a recipe for tooth decay. Tooth decay forms as the outer enamel is weakened by poor oral hygiene, exposing sensitive inner tissues to harmful bacteria. The cause could also be related to a sports injury or other accent that cracks or chips a tooth. When a cavity forms, your little one may report tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking, or a toothache that doesn’t pass after a day or two. When you bring your little one for a visit, we will take a close look with digital technology to identify the cavity and assess overall severity.
Treatment
For most, we could place a filling and provide a solution in only one visit! We start by administering a numbing agent to help your child remain calm and comfortable. If your little one has anxiety or special needs that makes undergoing treatment difficult, we could also discuss sedation options. We then remove all decay and then thoroughly clean the teeth. Next, we prepare and place the filling material. The composite resin we use contains no metal and can be shaded to blend with the tooth. The composite resin is cured under a light as we shape the tooth. The final step involves thoroughly polishing the teeth.
Preventive Care
We could also discuss how to avoid cavities. We can sit down with your child to cover proper brushing and flossing habits, and explain the benefits of a healthier diet light on sugar. We also have fluoride varnish, which we apply during checkup visits. The layer helps strengthen the outer enamel to prevent cavities. We could also discuss dental sealants, which are a thin acrylic layer we add to the hard-to-reach rear teeth, preventing food from becoming stuck between them. We also offer cleanings, which removes all harmful plaque and tartar from the teeth. If you have any questions about how we treat little smiles and address a cavity, then contact our team today to learn more. We’re ready to help you enjoy optimal oral health!
Your Cleveland, TX Dentist’s Office Offers Preventive Care
Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX wants to help kids of all ages protect their smiles from the onset of tooth decay. To learn more about how our team helps address a cavity, then contact our office at (281) 592-1234 to schedule your appointment today.