09
Nov
We Help Your Child Overcome Cavities with Pediatric Dental Fillings
You always want the best for your child’s smile. That’s why you ensure they clean their teeth diligently to prevent cavities. Never stop encouraging your child to observe conscientious oral hygiene. While optimal oral hygiene can prevent dental decay, sometimes cavities have a way of sneaking into your child’s teeth. Fortunately, pediatric dental fillings from South OC Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Mission Viejo, California, can restore your child’s teeth so they can maintain their beautiful smile. Our pediatric dentists – Drs. John De Lorme and Sam Wu — use pediatric composite fillings to restore dental cavities for a beautiful, pain-free smile.
Why do children need dental fillings?
While cavities affect adults, they are more common in children. Children love to consume sugary and starchy foods and drinks. When these foods are left in the mouth, harmful bacteria feed on these sugars, producing acids that erode tooth enamel.
Additionally, your child may not have established a consistent oral hygiene routine or might not effectively clean their teeth. Inadequate brushing and flossing encourage plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – to accumulate, leading to cavities. Lastly, baby teeth have thinner enamel than permanent teeth, making them more susceptible to cavities.
When your child has a cavity, it must be treated immediately. Otherwise, it can grow deeper and possibly lead to an infection. A dental filling can restore the tooth to its optimal function and appearance.
What to expect during a pediatric dental filling procedure
The dental filling procedure is fast and painless for your child. We’ll use local anesthetic before the procedure to minimize pain. However, children with dental anxiety can benefit from laughing gas (nitrous oxide), which keeps them relaxed during the procedure.
Once your child is comfortable, we’ll gently remove the decayed portion of the tooth and clean the area to eliminate harmful bacteria. The next step is to fill the cavity left with composite resin and harden it with a curing light. The final step is to shape and polish the filling for a natural-looking finish.
Why fix baby teeth, yet they’ll eventually fall out?
While it’s true your child will get a second chance when permanent teeth replace baby teeth, cavities can be painful. Depending on the extent of the cavity, it can diminish the ability to eat certain foods and smile confidently. A dental filling reverses all that by restoring the tooth’s functionality and appearance.
Benefits of pediatric composite fillings
Many materials can be used for dental fillings, but we prefer composite resin made from acrylic plastic and finely grounded glass or ceramics. We use composite material because its components are non-toxic to keep your child safe until the permanent teeth erupt.
Besides safety, we prefer composite fillings because of these benefits.
- The procedure is more conservative and minimally invasive
- They are tooth-colored, delivering a seamless appearance
- Durable
- Unlike metal fillings, composite resin is resistant to temperature changes
- White fillings are versatile to treat teeth anywhere in the mouth
- Composite resin tightly bonds with the tooth’s structure to provide a fool-proof seal against future bacterial infiltrations
We offer pediatric dental fillings to keep dental decay in check and prevent dental problems down the road. Please call (949) 581 5800 to request a consultation with our pediatric dental team.
We are located in Mission Viejo, California, but we are open to new and existing patients and families from the surrounding cities of Laguna Niguel, San Juan Capistrano, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Lake Forest, Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, Laguna Beach, San Clemente, and Dana Point, California.