Preparations And Precautions For Your Child Before And After Dental Fillings

The development of teeth in an individual starts from about six to twelve months after birth when the teeth start to erupt above the gumline. These teeth when fully grown are known as the milk teeth. They are temporary teeth meant to serve an individual from childhood till adolescence. For these teeth to perform their functions excellently, they need adequate dental care. At about age six to seven years, the milk teeth start to come off and are replaced by another set of teeth called permanent teeth. These teeth are only permanent if they are taken proper care of and there is no natural replacement for their loss. However, children as a result of their love for sugary and sweet things are prone to tooth decay and dental cavities. Their inability to take proper care of their teeth without supervision makes the situation worse. These cavities can affect both the milk teeth and the permanent teeth. Tooth decay occurs as a result of dental plaques eating at the tooth enamel of children. These plaques form as a result of the combination of the saliva, bacteria in the mouth, and remnants of sugary or starchy foods consumed by these kids. With proper brushing and flossing, the teeth can be ridden of dental plaques. However, children are unable to properly brush by themselves without supervision until they are a bit older. Tooth decay can cause a lot of dental problems in kids, therefore what can be done when a child has cavities?

Dental fillings are a common treatment method offered by pediatric dentistry for kids who have dental cavities. Even better, fillings can be used on both temporary teeth(milk teeth) and permanent teeth. Dental fillings are teeth-friendly materials used for restorative treatments in kids and even adults. Dental fillings are used to repair, replace and restore missing and damaged tooth or teeth structures. Pediatric dentistry is a branch of dentistry that oversees the wellness of the dental health of children and adolescents below eighteen or twenty-one years as the case may be. A pediatric dentist might offer dental fillings for tooth decay in your kid. It is very important to treat dental cavities in your kids even in their baby teeth because the premature loss of the baby teeth can cause permanent teeth to come in abnormally. Therefore, you should get dental fillings for your kids as soon as you notice signs of tooth decay and cavities in them.

Types Of Dental Fillings For Kids.

There are several types of dental fillings, however, not all dental fillings are suitable for kids. Suitable dental fillings for kids include:

• Composite Fillings. Composite dental fillings are made of acrylic resin, powdered glass, and plastic materials. This type of filling is very popular because it can be made to match the color of your natural teeth. However, they wear out faster than other types of fillings.
• Amalgam Fillings. Amalgam dental fillings are also known as silver amalgam fillings. It is a mixture of silver, tin, copper, zinc, and mercury, contrary to its name. It is popular for its strength and long lifespan, however, it is noticeable and tends to darken over time.
• Ceramic Fillings. Ceramic dental fillings are made from porcelain materials. They are tooth-colored, stain-resistant, and are suitable for large decay. However, they are a bit expensive than other types of fillings.
• Glass Ionomer Fillings. Glass ionomer dental fillings are made of glass and acrylic. They are a perfect choice for your kids because they release fluoride which can help your kids’ fortify your teeth against further decay. However, they are weaker than other types of fillings and do not last as long.
• Gold Fillings. As the name implies, they are made from gold and other materials. They’re equally as expensive as expected. However, they are very durable as gold does not corrode.

How To Help Your Child Before And After A Filling.

Make an appointment with a pediatric dentist immediately you see signs of a dental cavity in your child. Pediatric dentists as a result of their professional specialization can help to alleviate your child’s dental feats.

During a dental filling procedure, a pediatric dentist removes the tooth decay and fills it with the recommended filling material. During the procedure, anesthesia might be applied and your child is helped to relax.

After a dental filling procedure, you should apply a cold compress to the operated areas for about fifteen minutes. Make sure your child’s diet consists of soft foods only for about two days after the procedure. Administer any recommended medication and closely monitor your kid. Finally, report any abnormalities to a pediatric dentist as soon as possible.