Just like you, your children can develop cavities that require immediate attention from a dentist. However, some parents believe that since these teeth eventually fall out and are replaced, you can simply ignore a cavity. While that may sound true, the fact is that baby teeth need fillings too. Otherwise, your child could suffer severe discomfort, as well as a risk of infection or premature tooth loss.
Primary Teeth and Fillings
The baby teeth do eventually fall out. However, the exact times will vary, meaning on one can’t predict with 100% accuracy when this will happen. In addition, the teeth fall out in a way that allows the remaining teeth to direct the permanent ones into place. In short: the arrival of the permanent teeth happens in a certain order, and if interrupted due to untreated cavities, problems can develop.
The Dangers of Avoiding Treatment
First, decay will spread unless treated. This means the tooth can become in danger of developing an infection. An infected tooth is painful and requires a more serious response than a filling, such as root canal. However, eventually the tooth will need to be extracted. Losing the tooth prematurely, as we touched on above, can mean a greater risk of misalignment and the need for orthodontics in the future. Simply put, without treatment decay can cause your child serious discomfort and allow major complications to develop.
Protect Little Smiles from Decay
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help protect your child from cavities, including:
- Brushing teeth for two minutes twice a day
- Flossing every day before going to bed
- Seeing the dentist every six months for checkups and cleaning
- Cutting back on sugary foods and drinks
