What Parents Need To Know About Their Child’s First Cavity

Many parents have this notion that their kid could be too young to go to the dentist. Or, that their baby teeth are just going fall out eventually, so they don’t require dental care. Both ideas are wrong. Cavity eats away at your child’s tooth can eventually impair the bone. Take note that the jawline will hold the adult tooth when it comes in. 

Try not to blame yourself for your kid’s first cavity. There could be a number of reasons behind it, but what’s important is how you learn from this situation and work to prevent any more from forming. This is even more crucial if your child already has most of his or her permanent teeth since these will stay for life. 

Why Is This Happening?

If you’ve been taking care of your child’s teeth with proper brushing, you might be confused as to why he or she developed a cavity. The truth is, today’s diets are laden with sugar. The sweet substance is everywhere even French fries have it. Look at every food package you in the supermarket and you will find sugar as one of the main ingredients. Sugar breaks down the enamel on the teeth. 

It is a rule of thumb that a child should see a dentist by their first birthday. This way, the dentist can spot dental issues before they require corrective measures. Baby teeth may not be permanent, but your child will use them for six to eight more years. It’s only fair to make them comfortable when they eat during that long duration.

How Can I Ease My Child’s (Or My Own) Fear?

Sitting in the dentist’s chair is probably not everyone’s favorite experience. However, your child has to get through this and you, as a parent, should support your kid throughout the whole dental process. Some children are going to be overwhelmed. They might become anxious or even panic. It’s important to keep calm and try to explain as much to them as possible. The sight of the chair and all the devices may prove to be more than their little minds can understand. Alongside you will be a dentist who is gentle and can help your kid comprehend what is going on in words and mannerisms that they can relate to. 

Another thing to note is that your child will pick up on your anxiety. You can be confident that our staff and dentists at Kyrene Family Dentistry will go the extra mile to make sure your little one is comfortable. Feel free to talk to us ahead of your child’s cavity filling to let us know about your concerns regarding your child’s anxiety.

How Do I Explain The Procedure To My Child?

Talk to your child about what’s going to happen – but be careful about providing too many details. After all, you wouldn’t want to scare them with terms they barely know. Choose age-appropriate vocabulary. Explain what your kid will see and hear, so he or she is not surprised by the “whirring” sound of the drill. However, you need to watch out for clinical words like “drills” and “needles.” 

Watching a few child-friendly videos ahead of time will help. The American Dental Association has an animated program called “Dudley the Dinosaur.” Dudley and his friends are ambassadors for good oral health. Your child can learn a lot from their adventures. Sesame Street also has a classic Elmo’s World video about visiting the dentist.

What Kind Of Fillings Do Kids Get?

Today, white fillings (resin composite) are more common for children than silver (amalgam). White fillings have improved over the years and have stronger materials. There have been reported dangers to using metal fillings. You can simply avoid any potential dangers by asking for fillings that match the color of the teeth.

A dentist may have a preferences on what type of filling to use. Get some research done and see your options. Your kid may also need a cap cemented on the tooth called a crown if the cavity is big, on baby teeth, or on front teeth, which are more prone to breakage.

Will It Be Painful For My Child?

For most crowns and fillings, a dentist will administer a local anesthetic, so your child won’t feel any pain. Most of the time, kids don’t even realize they’ve had an injection. At Kyrene Family Dentistry, we apply a topical anesthetic jelly on the child’s gums and cheek using a cotton swab. Our dentists make sure the area is numb before the shot.

Is There A Possibility Of Laughing Gas Or Sedatives?

If having a needle near a child was difficult, then getting it into their mouth seems impossible. There are instances when a dentist has to use laughing gas. The tiny mask sedates the child enough so the dentist can do their job. It will ease the child’s nerves and be more cooperative. It also allows the dentist to have ample room to do the procedure. The child will also not hear the sound of the drill or any of the other apparatuses that may be used.

What Comes After The Procedure?

There shouldn’t be any pain after the dental procedure. However, your child may feel discomfort due to the affected gums. Give your young one Tylenol for the slight pain. There may also be sensitivity to both cold and warm sensations, but it shouldn’t be severe enough to require a more extensive pain killer. The next day, your little one’s tooth should feel as good as new.

A trip to the dentist shouldn’t be frightening to both the child and the parent. Use this opportunity to familiarize your kid with our health care team, so that he or she will be less anxious on the next visit. It’s natural to be uneasy when facing a new experience, that’s why it’s crucial to establish a good relationship with the dentist before a cavity even appears. Call us today at 480-771-0546 to schedule your first appointment.