Tooth decay, also known as a cavity or dental carries, is a condition that develops when plaque and bacteria remain on the teeth for long periods of time. It is one of the most common dental problems worldwide and can lead to pain, infection, abscesses and tooth loss when not treated.

Tooth decay is most often caused by poor oral hygiene or a sugary diet. If your child is not brushing and flossing their teeth regularly, the bacteria in their mouth will feed on the sugars and carbohydrates that cling to their teeth, which can then lead to tooth decay or other dental problems. It can also cause your child to experience tooth sensitivity and discomfort.

Here are a few tips on how you can help your child prevent cavities:

• Brush at least twice a day and floss daily. We recommend using a fluoridated toothpaste.
• Keep all your regular dental appointments. These checkups every six months help keep your child’s mouth healthy and allow our dentists to monitor their oral health and quickly treat any problems that may develop.
• Ask our dentists about preventive treatments such as dental sealants and fluoride.
• Monitor and minimize your child’s intake of sugary and starchy foods. This will help reduce the amount of harmful bacteria and acids in their mouth.

If your child does develop a cavity, our pediatric dentist can provide them with a treatment plan to repair the damage and restore their smile. Depending on the size of the cavity and the amount of damage to their tooth, their treatment may be a dental filling, a dental crown or a baby root canal, also knowns as a pulpotomy.

If you have any questions about cavities and would like to learn more about cavity prevention, please contact our office today.