Trouble With Cavities? Kool Smiles Can Help!
If your child has trouble with cavities, Kool Smiles can help you find the treatment he or she needs.
Although cavities are common among children, they can cause serious health issues if not treated. In addition to practicing good daily oral hygiene, it is important for your child to see a dentist twice a year to catch oral problems early and avoid serious health issues later in life.
Understanding Cavities
Cavities occur when the bacteria that live in your child’s mouth cause tooth-rotting plaque. Cavities can affect children of all ages, even those who are still bottle fed. Infants and young children who are bottle fed can develop a condition known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC), a common bacterial infection characterized by severe tooth decay.
According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, “Children who are frequently exposed to sugary liquids — such as milk, breast milk, formula, fruit juice, and other sweet liquids — for long periods of time run a great risk of suffering from Early Childhood Caries.”
Cavity Signs and Symptoms
In the early stages of a cavity, there are few signs or symptoms. In fact, many parents are made aware of their child’s cavity only after a dentist probes his or her teeth looking for soft spots.
In the later stages of a cavity, however, your child will likely experience a severe toothache, especially after eating something sweet, hot or cold.
Cavity Prevention
There are several ways to prevent cavities in children, including:
- Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day
- Brushing teeth after eating starchy foods or drinking sugary drinks
- Using a fluoride rinse
- Flossing daily
- Getting dental sealants
- Seeing a dentist twice a year
Cavity Treatment
Although cavity treatment varies based on how bad the cavity is, treatment usually consists of removing the decayed area of the tooth and filling it with a hard material, such as silver alloy or porcelain.
If your child has trouble with cavities, it is important to take him or her to see a dentist immediately for treatment.
Kool Smiles is a network of dental practices located throughout the United States that is committed to providing quality dental care to children. In fact, every Kool Smiles office is designed with children in mind and features waiting areas with playgrounds and toys.
Additionally, all of the dental professionals at Kool Smiles have experience working with children, and we accept Medicaid, Tricare and SCHIP at every location. If your child has trouble with cavities, take him or her to see a Kool Smiles dentist today!
Sources:
AAPD: http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/assets/2/7/ECCstats.pdf