Does Your Child Need a Tooth Filling?

Identifying cavities and providing dental fillings for children helps prevent a wide range of potential oral health issues. In many cases, cavities are identified during routine exams at regular appointments — which is one reason why scheduling a visit every six months is so important.

You can also watch for signs that your child may need a filling at home. Advanced cavities are often visible as pits or holes under close inspection, and you may also notice discoloration in the area. If your child complains of sensitivity or tooth pain, you may be able to identify a cavity just by looking.

However, the lack of a visible cavity doesn't mean you should ignore signs such as increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet food, or pain when biting down or chewing. Not all cavities are easily visible, depending on their location and depth.

In any case, if your child experiences tooth sensitivity or pain, it's time to schedule a visit with San Diego Children's Dentistry. We'll carry out an examination to find the cause behind your child's symptoms, whether that's a cavity or other dental issues.

Kids' Cavity Repair

If we identify that your child does have a cavity, a tooth filling is almost always the proper course of action. We can schedule a follow-up appointment to place the filling or potentially perform the quick and straightforward procedure then and there, depending on available scheduling and any accommodations your child might need.

The Repair Process

The tooth-filling process is simple and straightforward. Your child will receive local anesthetic around the area of the affected tooth. Other sedation options are available for cases of dental anxiety or other special needs. We'll fully discuss the procedure and options with you before moving forward.

Once the local anesthetic or sedative takes effect, we'll remove any decayed material surrounding the cavity. This ensures a strong hold for the filling and prevents further decay. While some children may find this a frightening experience, the procedure is pain-free and relatively comfortable.

The prepared site is then filled with a special material that forms a lasting bond with the tooth. It provides a strong and durable surface that stands up to chewing and eliminates any sensitivity or pain caused by the cavity.

Aftercare

After the procedure, the only aftercare requirements are related to the anesthetic wearing off. Your child shouldn't eat for about two hours after receiving a local anesthetic because they may accidentally bite the inside of their mouth.

Why Dental Fillings for Children Are So Important

If your child has a cavity, then they need kids' cavity repair to set it right. Without treatment, tooth decay only continues to spread, making the cavity worse.

Eventually, tooth decay can work its way into the soft tissue inside the tooth. This can lead to infection and other serious complications. At that point, your child will need a pulpotomy, root canal, or even tooth extraction to protect their oral health.

Fillings in baby teeth are just as important as fillings in adult teeth. If your child has cavities or tooth decay in baby teeth, you may be considering waiting for the tooth to fall out naturally.

However, decay and infection of the baby teeth can affect the permanent teeth underneath. Your child could also lose the tooth prematurely, leaving an open space for an extended period before the permanent tooth underneath emerges. This can let other teeth slide into that gap, creating orthodontic issues.

Living with cavities and tooth decay is also difficult for your child. They may experience increasing sensitivity and pain. Scheduling a visit with San Diego Children's Dentistry for prompt kids' cavity repair is the best way to protect the comfort and health of your child.

Warm and Welcoming Care for Your Child

At San Diego Children's Dentistry, we're committed to ensuring the comfort of all of our young patients. We understand that visiting the dentist presents a unique experience for every child.

Our staff works with you and your child to handle vital dental treatment in a way that assuages any fears, provides a comfortable experience, and addresses their unique needs.

Alongside friendly service from our staff, we also strive to make your child feel at home with our warm and welcoming office. With a comfortable lobby and features such as iPads and TVs above chairs, we help your child stay calm and at ease throughout their entire visit.

Sedation Dentistry Options

While our staff works to provide a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for every child, we understand that dental anxiety and other special needs may require additional measures to deliver a calm experience for your child.

We can discuss a variety of sedation dentistry options to ensure a calm experience for your child during their tooth filling. Our qualified staff can provide gentle sedatives to allow for quick and easy completion of the filling and a better experience for your child.

Other Kids' Restorative Dentistry Options

If you're keeping up with routine visits for your child, almost all cavities should be identified early enough for a tooth filling to be effective. However, other treatment options may be necessary if tooth decay spreads more extensively.

Serious tooth decay may call for a dental crown for your child. This involves removing exterior material from the tooth and placing a protective cap. A dental crown protects natural teeth when the only alternative option would have been extraction.

Dental Fillings for Children in El Cajon

If you're in need of quality pediatric dental care in El Cajon and the San Diego Metro area, you can put your trust in Dr. Jack Chan and the team at San Diego Children's Dentistry. Schedule an appointment for kids' cavity repair and other essential pediatric services today.