Cavity Treatment & Prevention

Cavities are quite prominent in children as they consume a lot of sugary foods like chocolates, candies, gummy bears, pastries, etc. Parents need to keep a close eye on their children's oral health to keep them from developing any severe oral conditions. At Palmdale Children's Dental, CA, we emphasize cavity treatment and prevention as it is highly essential in ensuring a child's optimum oral health.

What causes cavities?

No matter how well we brush the teeth, numerous microbes get left behind on the teeth, gums, tongue, and soft tissues of the mouth. As the day progresses, they multiply at a quick pace and get deposited in the mouth. Over time, bacteria forms a transparent layer on the teeth, called plaque, and if not removed at regular intervals, they form dark patches called tartar or calculus.

Tartar is filled with thousands of harmful bacteria that discharge acidic substances when they feed on the food debris. It can gradually erode the enamel and cause cavities by decaying the hard tissues of the teeth.

How can cavities be treated?

When you visit the dentist to get cavities treated, a thorough visual diagnosis will be conducted to determine their severity. A hand-held scaling device will be used to remove the adhered tartar and the decay from the cavity. The removed microbes and debris will be washed off using a jet of water. Next, a suitable filling material will be prepared using dental-grade ceramic or composite resin. It will be matched with the color of the teeth to keep it indistinguishable. The filling will be applied on the tooth, shaped accordingly, and hardened using a curing light. It will be trimmed and polished to enhance the aesthetics.

How can cavities be prevented?

The best way to prevent cavities is to visit the dentist regularly for oral consultations. During this, the dentist will thoroughly diagnose the mouth and check for tartar deposition and cavities. Suitable treatment will be given if required. Further, parents should keep a close eye on the eating habits of their children. Excessive consumption of sugary foods, beverages, and sticky foods should be avoided. Make sure no food debris is left on the teeth after they have a meal or snack, as it could serve as food for the microbes in the mouth and promote their growth.

Appropriate oral hygiene is crucial in preventing cavities. Help your child brush with a medium-soft bristled toothbrush and a fluoride-rich toothpaste. Ideally, brushing twice a day keeps most oral infections at bay and limits the growth of bacteria. If the teeth are weak and susceptible to cavities, a fluoride treatment may be required to replenish the volume of fluoride in the teeth and make them stronger. A fool-proof way to prevent cavities is by covering the occlusal grooves using dental sealants. The grooves present on the molars and premolars can be fully covered using tooth-colored acrylic sealants. They do not affect the bite, nor the aesthetics of the teeth.

For more information about cavity treatment & prevention, please schedule an appointment online or call us at (661) 266-0300 to consult with our pediatric dentist, Dr. Sadek. We also serve Lancaster, Tehachapi, Rosemont, Quartz Hill, Leona Valley, and Littlerock areas.