It’s not uncommon for parents to fear unconformable dental appointments for their children. After all, when we were kids, dentists didn’t have as many ways to keep dental visits comfortable and painless. But now, with modern dentistry and new techniques, dental visits for children are a breeze. So if you have been nervous about dental fillings for your child, put your mind at ease. After all, baby teeth are essential, and dental fillings for children are a breeze.

Why Dental Fillings for Children are Important

It can be shocking to hear that your child has a cavity or tooth decay. And parents often wonder why fillings in baby teeth are even necessary? Though baby teeth will eventually fall out, it is still vital to maintain those teeth’s dental health. Baby teeth serve a critical role in your child’s mouth.

• Baby teeth help with tooth alignment and positioning, saving space for future adult teeth.
• Healthy baby teeth pave the way for healthy permanent teeth because those permanent teeth develop near the baby teeth roots.
• Baby teeth are needed for chewing and enable proper nutrition.
• Without healthy baby teeth, your child’s speech may be delayed.
• The tongue, lips, and cheeks work in conjunction with your child’s teeth when sounds are formed, and thus healthy teeth aid in correct pronunciation during speech.
• Healthy baby teeth are essential for your child’s self-esteem.

Cavities, sometimes referred to as dental caries, are a common occurrence in children, despite even the best efforts made by parents. In fact, by adolescence, it is estimated that 58% of children will experience a cavity on their teeth. Unfortunately, tooth decay can happen to anyone at any time, and once the decay has started, it can’t be stopped. Dental fillings are necessary to prevent future, more significant oral health problems down the road.

Types of Dental Fillings

There are two common types of dental fillings; silver (amalgam) or white (composite). At We Make Kids Smile, we provide both types of dental fillings. We prefer to use tooth-colored fillings (white) whenever possible, but we make our decision based on the patient’s needs. Your kids’ dentist will discuss options with you before beginning treatment to ensure that your child receives the best restoration possible for their oral health.

Silver fillings

Silver fillings are often recommended by the FDA for patients aged six or older when the tooth decay is deep or on the rear teeth. Silver fillings are highly durable and ensure that patients don’t have to worry about biting down on harder foods.

Tooth-colored fillings

Dentists and patients often prefer tooth-colored fillings for cavities that occur on teeth in the front of the mouth. These composite fillings can be customized to match the coloring of your child’s natural teeth. Tooth-colored fillings are also relatively cost-effective and highly durable.

How to prevent the need for dental fillings.

The best thing that parents can do is take action to prevent the need for dental fillings in the first place. And though prevention is key, it is also important to understand that if your child does experience tooth decay, this is not an indication of failure. Tooth decay happens.

Parents who make efforts to keep their children’s teeth cavity-free provide a great gift to their children. These efforts help lessen the risk of cavities. It also helps to instill positive oral health values and habits in your child. Consider these 6 recommendations from the We Make Kids Smile dentists in Waldorf, MD, and Prince Frederick, MD, to keep your child’s mouth in tip-top shape.

1. Teach your child about routine dental care, including twice a day, brushing, and once a day flossing.
2. Understand that bacteria can spread through shared food and beverages.
3. Ensure your child is seen by a dentist at least twice a year.
4. Consider making some easy swaps for your child’s better oral health, such as not providing sweet and starchy foods to your child and increasing your child’s consumption of crisp fruits and vegetables that are water-dense.
5. Don’t offer sugary beverages to your children, such as soda or juice. Instead, make sure your child drinks plenty of water. The proper intake of fluoridated water is one of the easiest things you can do to prevent dental cavities in your child.
6. At snack time, offer your child some cheese slices or nuts instead of a sticky treat like honey, taffy, or caramel. Sticky treats are hard to remove from teeth and can help accelerate the formation of acid and the onset of tooth decay.

Contact the We Make Kids Smile team if your child needs dental fillings.

If you have been searching for a “kids dentist near me,” especially one in Waldorf, MD, or Prince Frederick, MD, the We Make Kids Smile team can help. We’ve been helping children maintain healthy smiles for over 40 years now, and we are committed to helping ensure your child has a great experience when they come to see us, whether it be their first trip to the dentist or they are a seasoned pro.

Our pediatric dentists focus on preventive care to ensure your child’s smile will be happy and healthy and will last a lifetime. If your child needs an appointment for dental fillings or just an oral assessment, either give our office a call or request an appointment using our convenient online form. We look forward to seeing you and your child.