26 Mar Help! My Kid Has a Cavity

What to Do if You Notice Your Child Has a cavity (Dental Decay)

Unfortunately, dental decay in kids is all too common. The CDC reports that dental caries—more commonly known as cavities—are “the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States.” They found that “More than half of children aged 6 to 8 have had a cavity in at least one of their baby (primary) teeth.More than half of adolescents aged 12 to 19 have had a cavity in at least one of their permanent teeth.”

This means that few children escape their youth without some sort of dental decay. If your child is suffering from broken-down teeth, they’re not the only ones. But cavities left untreated can wreak havoc. They produce bad breath, dental infections, expensive treatments like root canals, and in some cases, the need to pull the tooth altogether. So instead of brushing it off with the declaration that it’s normal and the tooth will fall out anyway, pay attention. Recognize the signs, take them to the dentist as soon as possible for help, and work with them to prevent it happening in the future.

Recognize the signs.

The first step is to notice when something goes wrong. There are three primary signs you can look for:

Ongoing toothache.

This will be centralized to the area around the tooth.

Sensitivity.

If your child has a cavity, they may experience discomfort or sharp pains when consuming certain foods or beverages, such as hot or cold ones.

Spots on teeth.

The color of the spot will change as the cavity progresses, so don’t be thrown off if it’s not what you expected to see. When the enamel first weakens, you’ll see a white spot on the tooth. As the hole deepens, the spot will turn a light brown and continue to darken the longer it’s left untreated.

Keep in mind that cavities don’t always cause obvious symptoms. While these signals are good indicators of cavities, your child may still be suffering dental decay without any of these external symptoms being obvious. You may not realize it all at all until their dentist breaks the bad news. That’s why step two is so important.

Involve their dentist.

As much as parents want to help their kids, dentists are the experts. That’s why the best thing that parents can do for their kids when their teeth aren’t in top shape is to involve the ones who can help them the most. As we mentioned, you may not know if your child has a cavity. At your child’s biannual visits, your dentist can let you know if they see any problem areas. They will officially diagnose a cavity if necessary. If you’re in between visits for your child but you’re pretty sure they have a cavity, you can take them in anyway to have the cavity addressed. Their dentist can help you discern the best path of treatment for your child and their teeth.

Get treatment.

Maybe your six-month visit just passed, and the dentist found three cavities in your son. Or maybe your daughter was complaining of a toothache so much that you brought her in for an extra appointment, and sure enough, it was a cavity. Now it’s time for treatment.

If the cavity has only just started to emerge, the dentist may be able to employ a fluoride varnish to handle the situation. This potent treatment stops the damage in its tracks so that it cannot progress any further. But often, more aggressive intervention is required. How exactly your dentist treats each cavity will depend on the specifics of the situation.

            In many cases, dentists choose to treat the cavities via a filling. This method entails drilling out the spot of decay and sealing the hole with some sort of composite or resin. If the decay has progressed further, the dentist may need to perform a crown, removing the damage section and replacing it with an artificial covering. If the pulp itself has become infected, then a root canal will be necessary.

            As mentioned, the specifics of treatment will depend on the specifics of the situation. But the important thing is not to let the cavity go untreated. Not only could that cause intense pain and sensitivity for your child, it could lead to serious infection and even the loss of the tooth.

Implement prevention strategies to avoid a repeat.

We’re guessing that once you’ve gone through having to take your child to get a cavity filled, you won’t want to do it again. The good news is, they probably won’t either! So remind them of that next time they put up a fight over brushing their teeth. A cavity should be a great teaching opportunity for your child about the importance of good oral health and how to maintain proper oral health habits. As you work with your child towards avoiding a cavity repeat, consider:

Ensuring that the brushing and flossing really get done.

This may be one of the main culprits of cavities in kids: the failure to brush and floss properly, or even brush and floss at all. When you combine kids’ sweet tooths with their less-developed dexterity and attention spans in teeth-brushing, you have a recipe for problems. Instead of telling them to brush and floss and just hoping it gets done, try monitoring your child to make sure the job is done well. Even if your child is technically old enough to brush or floss by themselves, they may need supervision to ensure that they’re doing an adequate job.

Encouraging them for their positive choices.

Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool. When your child does brush or floss properly or without you having to tell them, praise them generously! You could even implement some sort of sticker chart or reward system to encourage positive behavior.

Offering a nutritious, balanced diet. Healthy, whole foods that support dental health go a long way in keeping cavities at bay. Stock their diet with plenty of calcium, Vitamin D, phosphorous, and magnesium. You can find these nutrients in foods like cheese, yogurt, milk, nuts, broccoli, leafy greens, and ground beef.

Cutting down on the sugary options. Perhaps just as important as offering plenty of nutrients is limiting your child’s intake of the foods that will harm their teeth! Sugary, starchy, and acidic foods all invite cavities. Allow your child to enjoy cookies, fruit juice, candy, soda, dried fruits, pasta, crackers, bread, and other similar foods in moderation.

When cavities are “the most common chronic disease of childhood in the United States,” it might feel daunting to prevent them. But don’t be discouraged. Teaching your child to eat well, keep up good oral health habits, and follow the advice of their dentist will go a long way in keeping cavities at bay and promoting a healthy lifestyle for the long run. If you have questions about how best to take care of your child’s teeth or suspect that they might already have a cavity, please contact our office today.

About Our Team

Our team at Washington Family Dental has over 30 years of experience in the field of dentistry and a reputation for excellent patient care. 

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