When you hear that your child has a cavity in a baby tooth, it’s natural to wonder whether it really needs treatment. Those teeth will fall out anyway, right?
At Kids Dental Center, we understand that untreated cavities in baby teeth can cause serious problems now and in the future.
Board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Bosede Adeniji and our team offer the highest standard in pediatric dentistry. Our mission is to lay the foundation for a lifetime of excellent oral health for your child and help them maintain healthy teeth. If your child has a cavity in one of their baby teeth, fillings are an integral part. Here's why:
Baby teeth help kids form words clearly, eat comfortably, and make sure their adult teeth grow in the right spots. Failing to treat cavities in these teeth can cause:
If you’ve ever had a cavity, you know how uncomfortable it can be. Kids feel that same pain, even if they can’t always explain it. You might notice your child acting more fussy, not sleeping well, or refusing to eat — those can all be signs of a cavity.
Untreated cavities can turn into a serious infection or abscess, causing even more pain. No parent wants to see their child hurting. Taking care of the cavity early can protect your child from unnecessary pain and reduce the risk of dental emergencies.
When cavities in baby teeth go untreated, the decay doesn’t just stay in one spot. It eats away at the tooth, often worsening and eventually spreading to nearby teeth. This raises the chances of developing more cavities and can lead to more complicated dental problems.
Leaving a child’s baby tooth cavity untreated can quickly turn a small, treatable problem into a widespread concern that affects your child’s overall oral health. Treating cavities early helps stop this chain reaction and protects the rest of your child’s smile. It’s much easier to treat one tooth than several, and early care helps prevent avoidable pain and costly treatment later.
Baby teeth are placeholders for adult teeth. Without treatment, your child could lose their baby tooth too early. Surrounding teeth can shift into the open space, which can negatively impact tooth alignment. It may make it more difficult for your child to chew and speak clearly.
In addition, baby tooth shifting often leads to permanent teeth coming in crooked, crowded, or in the wrong spots.
By treating cavities and preserving baby teeth until they’re ready to fall out naturally, you maintain natural spacing. It may even reduce the risk of your child needing orthodontic treatment like braces in the future.
If your child is facing a filling, they’re not alone. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in kids, according to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Over 10% of kids aged 2-5 have at least one untreated cavity in their baby teeth. By the time children are 6-8, the number climbs to nearly 20%.
We understand that kids may feel anxious about dental care, so we take a modern approach to fillings.
Dr. Adeniji uses air abrasion, a gentle method that preserves more of your child’s natural tooth than traditional drills. This is always better for long-term dental strength and function.
We use tooth-colored composite resin instead of metal fillings, so the filling blends naturally with your child's smile.
We also understand that having dental work done can be intimidating, especially for children. That’s why we create a calm, friendly environment and offer advanced sedation dentistry options, attuned to your child's unique needs.
Parents appreciate the gentle care, and our young patients leave with smiles, not stress.
Treating cavities in baby teeth isn’t just about fixing one tooth. It's about supporting your child’s total oral health now and in the future.
If your child needs a filling, call Kids Dental Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, at 301-345-2881 to book an appointment today.
