Your Child’s First Cavity. What to Do?!

Some people think their child is too young to go to the dentist. Or, they think that the baby teeth won’t need a filling because they are just going to fall out. Both thought patterns are wrong. A cavity that is let go can go further down and damage the bone. The jawline is important for holding the permanent tooth when it comes in. First, it’s not your fault, and you were not a bad parent because your child got a cavity. Second, it’s probably not even your child’s fault. Sometimes cavities just happen even though you brush and floss your child’s teeth regularly. 

The First Dentist Trip

Some children are going to be overwhelmed by the whole dental experience. As parents, we must try to explain as much to them as possible. The sight of the chair and all the devices may prove to be more than their little minds can comprehend. It’s important to have a dentist who is gentle and can help them understand what is going on in terms and mannerism that they can relate too. It also doesn’t hurt to have a balloon or a treasure box to pick from either.

Why Is This Happening?

You can play the blame game all day long about who’s at fault. However, the real answer is that today’s diets are laden with sugar. These sugary substances break down the enamel on the teeth. It is a rule of thumb that a child should see a dentist by their first birthday. This allows a dentist to see if anything is wrong far before it become a corrective measure. Although these are not their permanent teeth, they will need to use them for about 6-8 years to ensure they can chew their food properly.

The Filling Process

There are many options for fillings these days. The dangers of metal fillings have been duly noted. If you want to avoid potential dangers, ask for fillings that match the color of the teeth. Each dentist has their own preference on what type of filling to use. It’s worth doing some investigation and deciding what is best for your child.

The Sedation Process

Most dentists know that getting a needle into a small child’s mouth is not going to be an easy task. This is why so many dentists utilize laughing gas. The small mask sedates the child enough so the dentist can do their job. This allows the child to be comfortable and the dentist ample room to do what needs to be done. They will also not hear the sound of the drill or the many other apparatuses that may be used.

Aftercare

After the procedure is done, the child shouldn’t feel any pain. If there is some pain due to the gums being affected, Tylenol is about the only thing a young one can take. The pain shouldn’t be severe enough to require a more extensive pain killer. The tooth may be a little sensitive to both warm and cold sensations, but by the next day they should be as good as new.