What does it mean when your child has a toothache? If the pain is short-lived, this may simply mean a cold or possibly sinus or allergy issues. However, persistent pain may point to a cavity, which needs treatment to prevent the premature loss of a baby tooth. In today’s blog, your El Paso, TX, dentists look at how we repair smiles with a minimal restoration.
How Does a Cavity Form?
Teeth both young and old are protected by a layer of tooth enamel, the hardest substance in the human body and one of the hardest substances on Earth. However, poor oral hygiene could weaken this layer and eventually cause erosion. Enamel erosion exposes the inner layers of dentin, which are sensitive and porous, to harmful bacteria, enabling a cavity to form. The cavity will continue to grow and spread, leading to worsening toothaches and tooth sensitivity. An injury to the tooth, such as a chip or crack, could also lead to cavities.
Dangers For Baby Teeth
While baby teeth do fall out eventually, this could occur months or even years after a cavity forms. If you delay treatment, the tooth could become infected, causing severe discomfort. Eventually the tooth may become lost prematurely, which impacts how the permanent teeth arrive and leads to an increased risk of dental misalignment. Be sure to let us know if your little one reports pain in his or her smile. Also, make time to see us every six months. During these routine visits, our team will perform checkups and cleanings to monitor the smile and identify problem areas in the earliest stages.
Minimal Restoration
How do we treat cavities in kids? We will often use a minimal restoration, or dental filling. We will remove all decay from the tooth and clean it thoroughly. We then prepare the composite resin material, which is a metal-free blend of glass and acrylic that can be shaded to match the color of the teeth. We apply the material and as we cure it under a light, we can shape the tooth. Finally, we polish the tooth for a more natural appearance. In a single visit we can treat the decayed tooth and return your smile to optimal health and beauty. If you have any questions about cavities, such as how to prevent them and treat them, then contact our team today. Be sure to schedule your child’s next checkup and cleaning visit as well!
SUNNY SMILES IN EL PASO TREATS LITTLE SMILES
Our Sunny Smiles team can return tiny smiles to full function, health, and beauty. If your child complains about an aching tooth, please let us know. To learn more about our minimal restorations, please call our East El Paso location on N. Zaragoza Road at 915-849-9000!