When is a Dental Filling Necessary?

One of the most common dental procedures is a dental filling to protect your child’s oral health due to tooth decay, trauma, or a tooth defect. A filling is used to restore a tooth to its prior function, look and form using either composite resin or porcelain. Tooth decay strikes everyone at some point. Areas of our teeth can suffer from poor oral hygiene habits, or high-sugar or high-acidic diets that wear down your enamel and lead to cavities. Some patients will develop cavities that require dental fillings because their teeth are just predisposed to issues due to genetics or other problems. Whatever the reason, the best thing to do is to get treatment early to prevent more serious issues.

Reasons for a Dental Filling

The most common  reason Dr. Botero will recommend a dental filling is to fill a cavity in the tooth. But, tooth fillings are also used to repair damage to teeth caused by teeth grinding (bruxism) or to replace part of a broken tooth.

A dental filling becomes necessary when children have a cavity in a tooth to prevent it from getting bigger.  Many children develop cavities in their adult teeth. (But, baby teeth get have cavities too. )The six-year molars are the first adult teeth to erupt which children usually find challenging to brush because these teeth are located in the back  of the mouth.

Children receiving orthodontic treatment may be in need of fillings.  But, don’t worry, dentists are capable of working around the fillings without stopping the orthodontic treatment.

Dental Fillings Are Common

If your child needs a dental filling reassure her that she is not only child facing this issue. Dental cavities are a common childhood health issue among children in the United States. Consequently, approximately 42 percent of children between two and 11 have some form of tooth decay.

The fact remains that even if you are practicing the very best in daily oral hygiene, your child can still develop cavities. Dental sealants can help seal out cavities that can creep into the deep crevices of teeth. These crevice-born cavities evade the bristles of a toothbrush allowing the decay to grow and fester. Dental sealants are an easy solution to keep this common occurrence from happening.

Does Your Child Have a Cavity?

To discover if your child has a cavity, Dr. Botero begins with an examination of your child’s mouth.  Dental x-rays are used to determine if your child has any cavities. This examination, suggested every six months, will reveal if your child needs a filling or not. Because, cavities are often not visible inside the mouth. And, often, cavities are not bothersome until they are a bigger problem. However, be on the lookout for the following symptoms that may mean that a dental filling is necessary:

• Tooth pain.
• Tooth sensitivity to cold, hot or sweet things.
• Visible black or grey decay.
• Broken enamel.
• Worn-out enamel.

Any of the symptoms above should prompt your to call our Li’l Sunshine Smiles Dentistry office to make an appointment. In the interim, you can help with tooth pain by applying ice packs, using salt-water rinses, and over-the-counter painkillers approved for use by children.  But, don’t delay making an appointment with Dr. Botero as soon as you can.

What to Expect at the Dental Filling Appointment

Your child’s dental filling appointment in Tampa will be handled by Dr. Botero personally, who is fully qualified and experienced to manage this type of treatment. Her extensive experience with dental fillings allows her to put you and your child at ease from start to finish.

Treatment begins with local anesthesia to numb any pain your child may feel. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) can be used for children who are especially anxious. Nitrous oxide is a safe, effective inhalation sedation approved by the CDC.  (It is not administered on children younger than 2.)

After your child is pain-free,  Dr. Botero will use professional, state-of-the-art tools to remove the decay in the mouth of your child before placing the filling.  Your child may need a root canal if the decay has extended to the roots. This treatment is also similar to having a regular filling but if the roots in your child’s mouth haven’t developed Dr. Botero may be required to delay the procedure.

Preventing the Need for a Dental Filling

Again, it is true that not all dental cavities can be prevented, but the majority can with dedicated oral care. Practice (and teach) the following habits with your child to help avoid the need for a dental filling:

• Visit Dr. Botero every six months for a check-up and cleaning.
• Brush teeth twice a day with a ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss once a day.
• Avoid sugary snacks and ramp up the healthy foods.
• Use mouthwash to prevent the accumulation of bacteria.
• Choose water instead of acidic drinks (like soda and juices).
• Avoid chewing hard things that break teeth (ice).
• Stop nail-biting. This habit can break/chip teeth too.
• Wear a mouthguard for all group sports.
• Don’t open things with your teeth.

Preventing cavities is much easier than treating cavities. As we work together, we can keep your child’s mouth healthy from birth to adulthood!  Plan to bring your child to Dr. Botero early on when they are tiny (we offer free infant dental exams).  This helps your child be more comfortable in our dental home for future dental visits. Call us at 813-576-0200 today to schedule a dental exam today!