Tooth decay and cavities can affect children of any age and should be addressed quickly, even in the primary teeth. Dr. Miller screens for tooth decay at all routine dental care visits and places dental fillings when necessary to restore your child’s oral health.
Regular visits to Pediatric Dentistry of Winter Park will greatly reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and advanced dental concerns in a growing smile. Dr. Miller and our team work with every patient and their parent or caregiver to help them enjoy a healthy smile, learn about all aspects of their dental care and address their unique risk factors for oral disease. We provide age-appropriate oral hygiene advice so that our young patients can learn over time how to care for their smile and minimize their risk for tooth decay.
Treating Cavities in Baby Teeth
If your child develops decay in their primary teeth, a dental filling is recommended to stabilize their oral health and avoid losing the tooth. The primary teeth serve several key functions in the overall development of your child’s smile, speech and the ability to enjoy a normal diet. Left untreated, tooth decay can increase the risk for more serious infection that can impact other tissues, including the bone around the tooth.
Dr. Miller will recommend the appropriate type of dental filling, based on the size and location of the cavity and the age of your child. We offer:
- Silver amalgam fillings
- White fillings>
- SDF fillings
Preventing Tooth Decay
The two key factors in minimizing your child’s risk of tooth decay are:
- Daily toothbrushing and flossing
- Routine dental care with Dr. Miller
Children should brush their teeth with adult supervision until they are ready to manage effectively on their own, usually around 9-10 years of age. Helping your child brush and floss will ensure the best result and provide the opportunity to teach them good oral habits.
A healthy diet that is low in added sugars will also have a significant impact on the oral health of a growing smile. Fruit snacks, sports drinks and even granola bars can have many grams of added sugars that help create the perfect environment for bacteria growth and tooth decay. Help your child or teen become aware of their diet and learn about healthy alternatives. Drinking water, especially after snacks and meals can remove food particles and sugars on the tooth surfaces.