Why do baby teeth need fillings?
If your child has been diagnosed with decay, or chalky teeth needing repair, you may be asking yourself, “Do we really need to fix them? Won’t they just fall out soon by themselves anyway?”
You’re right! Sometimes we don’t need to fix the troublesome tooth in question – and we will make a strategic decision about whether a filling is needed, depending on the individual needs of your child.
However, there are lots of occasions where we do decide that a filling is needed. In these cases, a filling can give an early nudge back in the right direction for your child’s oral and overall health.
So, when might baby teeth need a little extra help? Let us fill you in.
Caring for baby teeth leads to lifelong smiles
Don’t underestimate the power of those tiny teeth! They’re more than just adorable – healthy baby teeth play a vital role in your child’s overall well-being.
Acting as placeholders, they ensure adult teeth erupt correctly, preventing future orthodontic issues and promoting proper chewing, speech development, and a confident smile.
While temporary, some baby teeth (such as back teeth) can last well into the early teens. So it’s important they are given consistent care throughout childhood.
When baby teeth are hit with decay
Just like adult teeth, baby teeth are susceptible to decay.
While shallow decay (usually) will not cause pain and discomfort, the ideal scenario for your child is to act before decay is allowed to progress. If the decay is given time to spread, it can result in toothache, facial swelling and eating difficulties.
What’s more, if decay is allowed to progress to this point, our options for treatment are more invasive, and we have less likelihood of being able to save the tooth long-term.
This table illustrates how decay its symptoms and treatment options change over time.
DECAY STATUS
Shallow decay:
Ideal time to act
Large area of decay: Limited, more invasive treatment options
Abscessed tooth:
Beyond saving the tooth
DECAY PROGRESSION OVER TIME
SYMPTOMS FOR YOUR CHILD
Often no symptoms experienced by your child.
Often, no symptoms experienced. Possible pain, sensitivity when eating and food getting stuck.
Pain, toothache, sensitivity and difficulties eating, possible facial swelling.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Short treatment appointment for a small & easy-to-place filling
This may necessitate more time-consuming treatments (such as nerve or pulp therapy) and a crown. These involve longer treatment appointments and will be more costly.
Decayed tooth needs extraction because the tooth is too far gone to save with a filling or nerve treatment.
So, if your dentist has recommended treatment on a tooth with decay, it’s important to act on this advice – to prevent pain and possible bigger problems down the track.
It’s not one size fills all
Not all fillings are created equal! The best option for your child depends on the severity of the cavity, location of the tooth and how long that tooth needs to function before falling out naturally.
Here’s a breakdown of three common choices:
Tooth coloured fillings: Ideal for small cavities, especially in front teeth due to their natural-looking appearance. Decay is cleaned away and we bond the filling directly to the healthy part of the tooth. These fillings blend right in, keeping smiles looking fabulous.
Stainless steel crowns: These sturdy crowns are perfect for larger cavities – particularly in back teeth, which will be in the mouth for several years and need extra strength. They’re also suitable for teeth with partial root canals and for chalky molars. Before we crown a tooth, we remove decay, shape it, and then pop on the crown.
Zirconia crowns: Made from tooth-coloured porcelain, they blend seamlessly with surrounding teeth. However, placing them requires more time and involves general anaesthesia, so they are only offered in limited circumstances.
Fillings are not a big deal, but help a great deal
While procedures with kids can sometimes cause worry (for kids and their adults alike!), fillings are a routine part of dental care. They’re quick, minimally invasive, and safe.
Here’s what to expect:
- We will discuss with you how best to perform your child’s treatment: with happy gas in the dental chair or under general anaesthesia
- Then, we will carefully remove the decay and the soft part of the infected tooth
- Next, the tooth is thoroughly cleaned
- Finally, a filling or crown is placed as detailed above
After the procedure your child’s tooth will immediately look and feel better. Plus, caring for a dental filling is easy! Simply brush twice a day as normal, and your dentist will assess the filling at each routine check-up.
If you still have questions about fillings – or need more restorative options – our team at Norwest Paediatric Dentistry are only a phone call away. Contact us on (02) 8814 7945 or email us at reception@nwpd.com.au.