Everything You Need to Know About Tooth Decay In Baby Teeth

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your child’s precious smile happy and healthy. However, is it really that important to prevent and treat cavities in baby teeth? After all, these teeth are going to fall out on their own in a few years anyways. The truth is, these little primary teeth actually play a key role in your son’s or daughter’s oral development, overall health, and quality of life, so it’s essential that they’re kept cavity-free! Read on as your Auburn pediatric dentist explains everything you need to know about tooth decay in baby teeth and how to keep your little one’s smile healthy!

Why Do Kid’s Get So Many Cavities?

Does it seem like your little one gets a lot of cavities? Even if you brush their teeth regularly, there are a variety of factors that put baby teeth at a higher risk of tooth decay, including:

• Thin enamel
• Unrefined oral hygiene
• Exposure to sugary snacks and drinks

Why Is It So Important to Prevent Cavities in Baby Teeth?

Even though baby teeth aren’t a permanent fixture in your son’s or daughter’s smile, these little teeth play a big role in their long-term wellbeing. Leaving a cavity untreated in a baby tooth will allow the decay to eat away at the enamel until it reaches the sensitive inner layers. Not only will this be painful for your child, but it can make it difficult for them to eat properly, focus in school, or feel confident in themselves. Eventually, the tooth may become infected, which will need to be treated with a root canal or extraction to prevent it from spreading throughout their mouth and body.

How Can I Protect My Child’s Smile from Tooth Decay?

Thankfully, even though tooth decay is incredibly common in children, there are plenty of ways you can help keep your little one’s smile healthy and cavity-free, like:

• Make sure they’re brushing for two minutes twice a day.
• Ensure they’re using fluoridated dental products.
• Teach them to floss properly and daily.
• Limit their exposure to sugary foods and drinks.
• Have them visit their Auburn children’s dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.

It’s important to treat cavities right away in smiles of all ages. Teaching your son or daughter how to prevent cavities now will set them up for a lifetime of happy, healthy smiles!

About the Practice

At New England Kids Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we’re proud to help children in Auburn and the surrounding communities maintain optimal oral health. We firmly believe that prevention is the foundation of a strong, sparkling smile, which is why we offer a variety of services tailored to the unique needs of baby teeth and growing smiles. Quick, easy, and comfortable services like fluoride treatments and dental sealants are some of the best ways we can help your child fend off cavities as they learn to keep tooth decay at bay. To learn more about cavity prevention, we can be contacted via our website or at (508) 832-6278.