The answer to that question is please come see us at Shaenfield Pediatric Dentistry so we can take care of your child’s cavities. Cavities in permanent teeth obviously need to be fixed but sometimes parents are tempted to ignore cavities in baby teeth. They assume it’s okay since the tooth will fall out eventually anyway. Read on for some reasons why that is almost always a bad idea.
Catch Cavities Early
Cavities are fairly common in children and when treated immediately can usually be fixed with a tooth filling. This is a relatively simple procedure. If the cavity is in a tooth that is going to fall out very soon then Dr. Wilkerson will determine if it is okay to leave it untreated. When you visit our office every six months, we can catch cavities early, before they cause discomfort or become serious. Small cavities in early stages rarely cause pain. If your child is in pain, contact us immediately.
Untreated Cavities Cause Trouble
Untreated cavities can spread decay to other teeth, in addition to causing other serious problems. Infections can require a more extensive treatment like a tooth extraction, pulp therapy or crown. Baby teeth act as guides for the permanent teeth that will replace them. Losing baby teeth too early can create problems with alignment when the permanent teeth start coming in. Infection can also damage the underlying permanent tooth.
Cavities Are a Major Childhood Disease
The Center for Disease Control states that in the United States, untreated cavities are one of the major chronic childhood diseases. The resulting pain and infection can cause the child challenges with eating and speaking, both important developmental stages. Untreated cavities also interfere with playing and learning and cause children to miss school, which results in compromised learning. Discolored teeth also affect a child’s self-confidence.
Prevent Cavities with Regular Dental Visits
Don’t let a cavity in your child’s mouth cause a guilt trip. There are many things you can do to prevent cavities, but sometimes they happen in spite of your good efforts. We offer tooth-colored fillings and a comfortable, kid-friendly environment in our San Antonio office. We also offer preventive services to keep cavities at bay. Call us or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment today.
