happy boy

Adopting healthy habits is an important part of a child’s development. When it comes to their smiles, learning to properly brush and floss their teeth goes a long way toward preventing tooth decay. But because little hands are still mastering their hygienic skills, cavities can form from time to time. By taking your child to their checkup, we can detect the signs of tooth decay before they grow out of proportion and provide a treatment to restore their smile. Early detection can mean using a dental filling instead of needing a more robust solution, such as a dental crown. When we secure a child’s tooth until it is time to naturally fall out, we help their jaws develop properly with an even bite.

At your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist, we provide dental services for patients of all ages. We take pride in teaching children the basics of oral health so that they can enjoy beautiful teeth as they grow into adolescence. We suggest bringing your little one to a dental checkup twice per year to inspect their at-home efforts. When we detect problems such as tooth decay or gum infection, we will suggest beginning treatment right away to get their issue under control.

How Tooth Decay Impacts A Child’s Smile

The allure of candy and other sweets can be irresistible for children. Unfortunately, sugar and starch form the building blocks for oral bacteria to grow into plaque on the surface of their little smiles. This is why we all must brush and floss to continually remove the foreign material that threatens to decay the protective layer of our enamel. As bacteria feed on the remnants of our meals, they produce an acidic waste product that can build up cavities. If not removed soon, cavities can lead to dangerous infections of the pulp chamber or spread to other teeth in their smile.

Placing A Filling After Removing Cavities

At each exam, we take digital X-rays to build a dental record of your child’s smile. If we see a cavity, we will suggest removing it right away to preserve as much natural tooth as possible. After clearing out all decaying material, we must restore the seal of your child’s tooth to prevent reinfection. We create dental fillings from a composite resin that can instantly bond to their smiles. By shading each filling to match the color of the original tooth, this treatment blends in nicely.

Talk To Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist About Removing Your Child’s Tooth Decay

We look forward to seeing your little one regularly. While no one wants to have a cavity, timely treatment can help preserve their smile! To find out more about how we help treat decay, contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600.