If your child’s been recommended for a dental filling, then you’re not alone. Dental fillings are among the top ways dentists can treat tooth decay, the number one chronic childhood disease throughout the world. Cavities treated in their early stages can help prevent further decay and infection in the future, but what’s so special about dental fillings? And why are they needed if the child’s teeth will be replaced as they get older? We emphasize the importance of dental fillings because they do much more than just treat cavities; Dental fillings provide children with a first-line defense against decay that affects not only the tooth but also your child’s bite.

The Benefits of Dental Fillings for Children

Oral health is an essential part of children’s overall health, and studies such as ones found in the Paediatrics Child Health journal from the Canadian Paedriatrics Society that taking these steps provides good evidence for decreasing the annual rate of cavity development in children per year and value universal care methods for children’s dental care. Dental fillings, combined with other preventative measures such as sealants, regular checkups, and fluoride treatments, have helped strengthen children’s oral health over time and have given many parents peace of mind. Dental fillings are a primary method for saving children’s teeth for multiple reasons, including:

• Tooth Protection: Dental fillings help sterilize and protect an infected area from harmful bacteria present in plaque; after cleaning out and disinfecting the tooth area, the filling bonds with the inner tooth’s structure and creates a tight seal to prevent any foreign debris from entering the inner channels of the tooth.
• Prevent Infection: Fillings can decrease cavity development rate over time and help reinforce in children proper brushing and flossing habits.
• Restore Child’s Bites: If left for long periods, cavities can spread the infection into the gums and jawbone, which can overall affect a child’s bite development. Malocclusion can often develop from untreated cavities due to the pressure that develops over time from the cavity and can affect how they speak and eat.
• Aesthetically Pleasing: Depending on the type of filling your child receives, sometimes dental fillings can be pleasing to look at, especially if the cavity develops along with the front teeth.
• Last Up To 10 Years: Some fillings can last up to 10 years or more once filled due to their strong and durable construction materials.

How Dental Fillings Save Children’s Smiles

Dental fillings provide children’s teeth with the protection needed for healthier, happier smiles. When performed correctly, dental fillings can stop the spread of cavities throughout the mouth and help children recover from cavities. As one of the most common childhood health issues, dental fillings provide dentists with the know-how to treat and disinfect children’s teeth through continuous care and attention to detail. Through proper technique and a gentle disposition, minimizing the pain and treating the cavity is what dentists do best to keep children’s oral health safe.