Did you know that developing cavities or some level of decay in baby teeth is not uncommon? It is not a sign of bad parenting or neglectful oral health; it is just something that happens. It is often thought that since baby teeth, or primary teeth, are temporary, that there is no reason to have a cavity filled. Your child is going to lose the tooth eventually anyway, right? Wrong. There is a reason to treat cavities in baby teeth.
Why Repair Damaged Baby Teeth?
Decayed teeth can have a negative effect on not only your child’s oral health, but their overall health as well. Teeth damaged by cavities can cause pain and discomfort for your child; this can affect their nutrition by hindering them from eating healthy foods. Teeth that decay to the point of falling out can cause special complications in your child’s mouth. Overbites cross bites and misalignment can be a result of missing teeth in your child’s mouth.
Cavities that are left untreated don’t stay small. The bacteria and decay moves deeper and deeper into the tooth, eventually reaching the root. This can cause infection in the surrounding teeth, the gums and even in the jaw bone.
If you feel like your child may have a cavity, please call us for a check-up right away. Look for things like tooth sensitivity, perhaps hesitancy to brush their teeth or an avoidance of hot or cold foods. Crying and complaining of cheek or facial pain is another clue that your child may have a cavity that needs attention.
The best way to treat cavities early is through our office. Our staff will examine your child at every checkup, making certain that the teeth are healthy and strong and if we do find a problem, we are here to help repair it. Give us a call soon, we look forward to hearing from you!
