As your child grows up, their baby teeth naturally come loose and fall out. So, it’s easy to assume that they don’t need certain dental treatments to keep them healthy. But this is a common pitfall of thinking that many parents fall into. Baby teeth may need dental fillings in Worcester, MA, as much as an adult tooth does. When your child has a cavity on a baby tooth, your dentist will examine the affected tooth to determine if a dental filling is needed.
What Determines if Baby Teeth Need Dental Fillings in Worcester, MA?
When it comes to treating baby teeth, there are a lot of factors to consider. Baby teeth may fall out, but their health and growth can play a major impact on how a child’s adult teeth grow as well. If baby teeth aren’t cared for properly, your child could be at a greater risk of developing dental problems in the future. As such, a cavity on a baby tooth may require a dental filling, depending on the following.
Development of Adult Tooth
In some cases, your dentist may not recommend a dental filling if the baby tooth is close to falling out. As your child’s adult teeth grow in, they start to dissolve the root of the baby teeth. This leads to the baby teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. If your dentist notices a cavity on a baby tooth, their first step is usually to take an x-ray. This x-ray can show them how far along the adult tooth is in growing. If the baby tooth is nearly ready to fall out, they may hold off on treatment. However, if the tooth is going to be around for longer than six months, your dentist will likely recommend a dental filling.
Size of the Cavity
An x-ray can also help your dentist determine the size and depth of a cavity. Our teeth are made up of various layers. The outer layer, known as the enamel, is generally hard and protective, keeping the inside nerve and roots of your tooth safe. The layer under it, known as dentin, is typically softer and more porous. If a cavity is only on the surface of your tooth, it can take a while before the decay spreads. Once it reaches down to the dentin layer, however, it can spread faster and cause further complications. Your dentist is likely to recommend a filling if the decay has reached the dentin layer, even if the baby tooth may be close to falling out.
Further Cavity Risk
Depending on where the cavity is on the baby tooth, it’s possible for the decay to spread to neighboring teeth. So, if you have a cavity on a baby tooth but it’s close to an adult tooth, your dentist may recommend getting a filling. In the time it would take for the baby tooth to fall out, it’s possible that the damage would spread and put the adult tooth at risk as well.
If your child has a cavity on their baby tooth, they may still need a filling. Call us today at (508) 625-5534 to schedule a consultation and see if a dental filling is necessary.