Posted May 03, 2021 in Pediatric Dentistry
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We all know that taking our kids to the dentist is essential to avoid future problems and pain.
However, if your child has a cavity, does it need to be treated? After all, baby teeth are going to fall out anyway.
Many parents do not understand the importance of dental care for baby teeth, but treating your children’s decayed teeth is imperative to their oral health and will set them up for the rest of their lives.
What Can Decayed Baby Teeth Do?
1. Cause Pain
If you have ever had a toothache, you know the pain can be unbearable. When you are in pain, it can be difficult to eat, sleep, and focus during the day. Although a child’s baby tooth is going to fall out eventually, it can cause excruciating pain.
Treating your child’s cavities and other dental problems can help eliminate pain and allow them to live comfortably.
2. Affect a Child’s Education
When a child is in pain, it can be impossible to focus on anything else. Painful dental decay distracts a child throughout the school day, negatively affecting their education. If it has been a while since your child has seen a dentist, please consider taking them in for a check-up. Some children do not tell their parents or teachers they are experiencing pain due to fear of the dentist.
Many dentists recommend making your child a back-to-school dentist appointment so they can start the new school year off with a healthy, happy smile.
3. Affect a Child’s Nutrition
When you are suffering from a toothache, eating can make the pain worse. Children suffering from cavities may avoid eating certain foods because they elevate the already excruciating pain.
Proper nutrition is important, especially for growing children. Treating cavities early helps prevent dental pain so your children can eat the healthy foods they enjoy.
4. Cause Infection
Untreated cavities are at risk for tooth infection, also known as abscesses.
An abscessed tooth in a child often needs to be treated with an extraction. Treating your child’s cavities when they are caught early lowers their chances of needing more severe treatments.
Additionally, in extreme cases, untreated tooth infections can spread to other areas of the body.
5. Harm Future Permanent Teeth
Severe, untreated tooth decay in baby teeth can spread to permanent teeth, causing severe problems.
Since adult teeth are permanent, we want to avoid problems as much as possible. Take care of your child’s future teeth by ensuring that their baby teeth get the necessary care.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are interested in learning more about the importance of treating tooth decay in baby teeth or scheduling your child’s appointment, please contact our office at (575) 524-3722 or fill out our contact form.