Albertville, AL
Tooth decay affects both children and adults. Unfortunately, kids across the U.S. ages 6 to 12 miss as many as 9 million school days each year due to tooth decay. Preventive care goes a long way in preventing cavities in the first place. But since children don’t always do the best job brushing and flossing as they should, cavities eventually develop. Unfortunately, when left untreated, the condition will worsen, cause extensive damage, and require expensive treatments. That’s why our Albertville pediatric dentists at Wall Street dentistry share on the blog today how to tell if your kid has cavities and what you can do to help prevent them and protect your child’s oral health.
Why kids get cavities
You may know some parents who have children that seem like they never get cavities, while your children have a new one every time they visit the dentist. There are varying reasons for the occurrence, but it relates to the specific habits our Albertville family dentists share below.
- Sweet & Carb Lovers – The easiest way to avoid cavities is to stay away from common foods and beverages that cause them. In most cases, those items are often the ones most kids desire. The harmful bacteria that cause cavities feed and thrive off sugar. But, since multiple food brands market their products for children and are sugar-laden or carb-heavy, it’s no surprise that children are more likely to develop cavities.
- Improper Brushing Technique – Brushing your teeth is the most effective way to remove food debris and harmful bacteria on your teeth and gums. Therefore, children that are not old enough to brush their teeth properly need additional guidance to ensure their mouths are thoroughly clean. Feel free to ask our dental hygienists for a demonstration.
Cavity Signs and Symptoms
The good news is that tooth decay does not happen overnight. There are prior signs and symptoms that you can look for to help prevent invasive dental work for your child or extreme pain.
Therefore, our Albertville dentists who treat children share the early indicators below:
- Avoiding eating
- Dark spots on teeth
- Holes or pits in teeth
- White spots on teeth
- Swelling around the mouth or face
- Tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold food or beverages
- Child complains of a toothache
Children’s Cavity Treatments
Contact our Albertville dental office if you notice any of the above signs or symptoms, especially if there is more than one. Our dentists are best qualified to determine the severity and make recommendations best suited for your child and their oral health condition. Some of the most common treatment options for tooth decay that we may recommend are listed below.
- Varnish or sealants – Varnish and sealants are preventive treatments used when active tooth decay is not present.
- Fillings – Fillings are a restorative treatment that is placed after the cavity or decayed portion of the tooth is removed.
- Extraction – Extracting your child’s tooth is a “last resort” option for removing decay and bacteria. However, when decay compromises your child’s tooth structure, then its extraction may be necessary if it is a baby tooth.
Children’s Dentist in Albertville, Alabama
When it comes to children, remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Therefore, help your child establish healthy oral care habits like brushing their teeth twice daily, flossing once daily, visiting the dentist twice a year, and avoiding excessive sugar or carbohydrate consumption. To schedule your child’s check-up or cleaning appointment at our Albertville dentist’s office, please call Wall Street dentistry at (256) 878-0525 or contact us online.