Treating Tooth Cavities For Young Children

Good dental habits are necessary at all stages of life, especially in young children who are still growing in their permanent teeth. Unfortunately, children can still develop cavities even if they floss and brush regularly. The next best course of action is to treat the cavities as soon as possible to mitigate future complications. Many children feel nervous about going to the dentist, and those fears can be more prominent when dealing with a toothache. That’s why Distinctive Dental Solutions prioritizes compassion in what we do. Here’s how we treat tooth cavities in young children. 

Options for Treating Cavities

Distinctive Dental Solutions provides unparalleled services for our patients. We believe in the importance of a dentist who not only delivers skilled advice, but approaches dentistry from an empathetic angle. We understand that many children feel nervous about going to the dentist, and we want to ensure your child is comfortable in our office. As a parent, you want to fully understand each treatment option to know that your child is receiving the care he or she needs. 

We take the time to explain our services at a consultation so you and your child know what to expect. There are several ways to treat cavities, and each is highly successful: 

• Fluoride Treatment. When a cavity is found early, it can be treated using fluoride. This treatment helps to restore a tooth’s enamel before the cavity has penetrated through the deeper layers. In some cases, it can even reverse the cavity. Professional fluoride is more concentrated than the kinds found in tap water and toothpastes. It’s applied as a varnish or foam using a brush or tray that covers your teeth. Children often respond well to this treatment since the procedure does not take long and can even be completed in a routine dental checkup. 

• Fillings. Fillings, or restorations, are the most common treatment for cavities. After tooth decay has developed past the early stages, fillings can be used on the resulting gaps or holes in the enamel. Most fillings are made of tooth-colored composite resins or porcelain. 

• Pulp Capping. If the tooth decay is moderate to severe and is close to the root, pulp capping can be done before adding a filling. Pulp capping prevents the tooth pulp from necrosing, or dying. 

• Pulpotomy. Extensive tooth decay with nerve exposure may require a pulpotomy. In this treatment, pulp is removed and medications are applied before a crown is installed. This treatment is commonly used to restore baby teeth in children, and it’s minimally invasive.  

• Porcelain or Stainless Steel Crowns. Parents may wonder if crowns are really necessary when a cavity affects a primary tooth. Due to the discomfort and potential complications of a cavity, we recommend this treatment if the tooth has a large cavity. Molars especially are used for chewing, and without a crown, your child may have trouble eating. 

• Root Canal Therapy. Extensive tooth decay often requires intensive treatment. Cavities that reach the tooth pulp may need a root canal to repair the damage. The diseased pulp is taken out and replaced with a filling.

• Dental Extraction. A tooth with severe decay cannot be restored and should be removed to prevent further complications. Removing a tooth via dental extraction leaves a gap that can cause shifting. A dental implant or bridgework can be used as replacements for the missing tooth. 

Call a Dentist Today

If your child has a cavity, know that our team at Distinctive Dental Solutions can solve the issue. Call today to discuss treatment options.