Dental Fillings for Kids: What Parents Should Know

Dental fillings for kids are recommended for those with small cavities in their primary or secondary teeth. In order to understand their importance, parents must first understand the role of the teeth and the ramifications of cavities. This guide aims to help you understand why we recommend fillings for your kids and what to expect during the appointment.

The role of baby teeth

Baby teeth play a vital role in a kid's development and overall oral health. These teeth erupt between four and seven months of age, stabilizing the gums and jawbone. Also, baby teeth are precursors for adult teeth, which begin to erupt around six years of age. That means that, between that time, kids are learning to speak and have proper pronunciation and have evolved diets with increasingly different food textures. Not to mention, they also shape the face.

Therefore, preserving baby teeth until the body alerts them it is time to come out is essential for their overall development. As the adult teeth come in, they will have a healthy, clear path to follow, significantly decreasing the chances of impaction and malocclusions.

Understanding cavities

Cavities are caused by decay, which results from a bacteria-filled substance called plaque being allowed to remain on the teeth. When cavities enter any type of tooth, they attack the external structures and progressively work their way into the internal structure. While they may seem harmless and go unnoticed by the naked eye, they can eventually cause pain, sensitivity, tooth fractures, and infections.

If caught early enough, during a biannual dental checkup, the dentist may perform a simple corrective procedure—dental fillings for kids. However, more extensive procedures may be necessary if the cavity is allowed to progress and break down a large portion of the tooth, enter the pulp chamber, or reach the roots.

What to expect during the dental fillings procedure

Dental fillings for kids are a simple procedure. The dentist begins with a numbing agent so there is no pain or discomfort. They will then begin removing all traces of decay from each layer of the tooth before cleaning the area. Next, they will begin to slowly fill the hole with composite (tooth-colored), porcelain (white), or amalgam (silver) materials. The main aim is to restore the durability and functionality of the previously decayed tooth. After the filling process, the dentist will use a special curing light to harden the material before polishing it to make it smoother. The dentist finishes the appointment by performing a bite test. They need to make sure they did not overfill the tooth and that the material has thoroughly hardened and feels comfortable in the mouth. The dentist will make adjustments if necessary.

Parents need to know that while dental fillings for kids can correct cavities, they do not prevent the rest of the mouth from receiving them. Therefore, dentists strongly encourage parents to stay on top of their kids' oral health, especially the little ones. This includes ensuring they brush their teeth twice daily and floss once, at minimum. Parents should also have their kids maintain a balanced, sugar-free, or limited diet and schedule biannual dental checkups.