shirley dental fillings for kidsWhen a child has an aching tooth, this could lead to discomfort and eventually, infection and the risk of premature tooth loss. Our team can help protect little smiles with custom restorations that are safe for all ages. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about our composite resin dental fillings.

When Kids Have Cavities

Children can develop tooth decay the moment they have teeth. As babies, this can happen when they fall asleep or nap with a bottle of milk or juice. As they age, consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starch can leave behind particles for bacteria to consume, which creates plaque buildup and weakens enamel to cause tooth decay. If your children attend six month checkup and cleaning visits, then our team could identify cavities in the earliest stages and offer treatment before the teeth hurt. Otherwise, you may not know your kids need care until they report toothaches and tooth sensitivity that don’t pass after a day or two. When this happens, they need a diagnosis right away and may need a filling!

Our Composite Resin Restorations

Instead of metal, we use a composite resin that is metal-free and safe for all ages. The material can also be color matched to blend with your smile and offer a lifelike appearance. The result is a restoration that looks natural and provides years of protection for the tooth, protecting your little one’s smile. Now, you may think that if one occurs in a baby tooth you can just wait for it to fall out. Unfortunately, this could happen months or even years later, so the decay could become an infection that reaches other parts of the smile and cause the tooth to be prematurely lost, which in turn leads to a higher risk of dental misalignment.

Placing Fillings and Preventing Tooth Decay

To place the filling, our team will gently numb the tooth and remove all decay. We then clean the outside structure and prepare the filling material. We apply it in several layers, and then shape the tooth as the composite resin cures beneath a light. We then polish the tooth for a brighter appearance. In one visit, we treat your child’s tooth decay! You could also lower the risk of needing a filling by making sure your kids brush and floss daily, eat a healthier diet, and drink plenty of water.

Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist About Stopping Tooth Decay

We would like to help kids of all ages enjoy healthy smiles with a dental restoration. To learn more about our lifelike and durable dental restorations for kids, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.