Stop kids’ Cavities
Your child’s dentist may have some choices for treating cavities that do not involve numbing, anesthesia, or drilling. Even though baby teeth fall out, it is important to catch cavities early and treat them. Untreated cavities can be painful and can cause infections that can spread outside the mouth.
SPOTTING CAVITIES EARLY
As soon as teeth show up in the mouth, your child is at risk of developing cavities. You should start brushing your child’s teeth twice per day as soon as their first tooth appears. This is a good time to look for cavities. In the early stages, cavities can look like white spots on the teeth. As they get worse, cavities appear darker, more brown, or even black. The white spots may look chalky and kind of dry compared with the rest of the tooth. The brown spots are softer than the rest of the tooth. You might even notice pits or holes in the tooth. Your child should visit the dentist by his or her first birthday. This helps your child become familiar with the dentist and allows your child’s dentist to check your child’s oral health. This includes checking for and treating cavities. Catching cavities early can give your child’s dentist some choices in treating them that avoid removing the cavity with a drill. This makes for a much easier visit for your child. You can also talk to your child’s dentist about what might be causing cavities and how to prevent them.
Dental sealants
Early cavities on the chewing surfaces of your child’s back teeth can sometimes be treated with dental sealants. The chewing surfaces of back teeth have deep pits and grooves where food or bacteria can become trapped. This increases the risk of cavities on these surfaces. Dental sealants are thin, plastic coatings that are painted on the surfaces of back teeth, blocking these pits and grooves, protecting the tooth from a buildup of food and bacteria.