Do Cavities in Baby Teeth Actually Need to be Filled?

Just because baby teeth fall out doesn’t mean they’re not important. Many people think of baby teeth as placeholders for the “more important” permanent teeth. However, baby teeth actually perform a few vital functions beyond holding the spot. Children need their baby teeth to be whole and healthy. When a cavity forms, it’s important that it is assessed and addressed by a professional pediatric dentist to ensure the longevity of the tooth. 

By treating cavities early, we prevent the need for more costly dental interventions later. 

How to Spot a Cavity in Baby Teeth

As cavities progress, they become visible to the naked eye. Beginning as white spots or lesions on the teeth, they turn into yellow, brown, or even black spots on the teeth. Untreated cavities can cause baby teeth to break off and become chipped or nubs. 

What Roles Do Baby Teeth Play in Oral Health?

Holding space for permanent teeth- Baby teeth guide the adult teeth into place and keep the spot available, not allowing other teeth to move into the space. Teeth erupt in the right positions, ensuring proper alignment.

Guiding jaw development– They facilitate the growth of jawbones and muscles.  

Assisting with speech development- They help with speech development by assisting with clear speech and proper pronunciation. 

Allowing children to chew and eat- When kids have healthy baby teeth, they can chew and eat efficiently. 

What Happens When Cavities Don’t Get Treated?

When cavities aren’t treated, they progress. This spells trouble for the tooth and your child. Untreated cavities can cause pain, abscesses, and infections that may require emergency care. Other consequences of not treating cavities include premature tooth loss, misaligned adult teeth, damaged adult teeth, and speech issues. We break down these consequences in the next section. 

Consequences of Untreated Cavities in Baby Teeth

Infection, Abscesses, and Pain: When decay is allowed to spread, it can lead to severe pain and even infection.

Damaged Permanent Teeth: When tooth decay causes an infection, it can affect the permanent tooth below it. 

Difficulty Chewing: When cavities are painful, chewing becomes difficult, which can affect nutrition, even leading to weight loss or nutritional deficiencies.

Speech Problems: Early tooth loss or severe decay can make it much harder to pronounce words. 

Dental Issues: If there is premature baby tooth loss, there is no longer a placeholder, and other teeth will shift into the empty space. Your child will need orthodontic treatment to correct this.

Psychological Effects: Visible tooth decay and premature tooth loss can affect self-image, and oral pain can result in dental anxiety. Mood and behavior can also be affected.

Remineralization: An Option for Some Cavities When Treated Early

The good news about catching cavities early is that they may not need a filling! In the case of small, superficial cavities, a process called remineralization may be an option. Remineralization utilizes a special type of fluoride to strengthen the tooth enamel again and reverse the cavity’s effects. This is why it’s important to take your child to their dental checkups twice a year. The dentist can catch cavities early and may recommend X-rays to get a good look between teeth to catch any sneaky tooth decay and remineralize it. 

Treatments for Cavities At Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas

Remineralization- This treatment involves applying a fluoride-based therapy to the tooth to strengthen the enamel and reverse the decay. At CDND, we use Curodont Therapy to restore minerals to early-stage cavities. This non-invasive gel stops the progression of decay, eliminating the need for future treatments. 

Dental Fillings- Dentists numb the area, remove decay with specialized tools, and then use tooth-safe materials to fill the space and prevent further damage. At CDND, we use tooth-colored resin fillings to repair cavities after decay is removed. We shape the filling and make sure the bite is even before curing and hardening the tooth.

Crowns- Pediatric crowns are pre-sized “caps” that fit over the tooth after decay is removed. They are necessary when there is not enough preserved tooth structure after decay removal. At CDND, we fit protective caps over damaged, decayed, or broken baby teeth to preserve their function after numbing the area. 

Extractions- Extraction is the term for the complete removal of a tooth by a dentist. At CDND, extractions are a last resort for extreme cases of decay in which the tooth cannot be saved. Numbing is always used for this procedure. 

Note: In some cases, a cavity is present on an already-wiggly baby tooth. When a tooth is about to fall out naturally, these dental interventions are not necessary. However, it’s important to check with your pediatric dentist before leaving a tooth to fall out on its own due to the risk of infection.

Preventing Cavities in Baby Teeth

Maintaining good oral hygiene at home goes a long way in preventing cavities and keeping teeth strong and healthy. Follow the 2-2-2 rule: Brush twice a day, for two minutes, and visit the dentist twice a year. Floss daily once teeth touch. Supervise brushing, or brush for your child, until they have the manual dexterity to do it themselves around age 7. 

It should be noted that good oral hygiene is not the only factor that impacts cavity risk. For example, certain medications cause dry mouth, which can contribute to cavities. In addition, mouth breathing also leads to dry mouth, which creates ideal conditions for the bacteria that cause cavities to thrive. Talk to your pediatric dentist about your child’s risk factors, especially if you notice mouth breathing, which can cause issues beyond just cavities. 

When to Schedule a Dental Checkup 

It’s recommended to visit the pediatric dentist at least twice a year for a routine checkup and dental cleaning. If you suspect your child has a cavity, call us! We can schedule an appointment for your peace of mind and treat any cavities in a conservative yet timely manner. At Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas, our team is led by four highly knowledgeable and board-certified pediatric dentists, many of whom are parents themselves! We have two age-appropriate offices, catering to infants, toddlers, school-aged kids, and teens. 

FAQs About Cavities in Baby Teeth

Why do cavities in baby teeth need to be filled?

Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, guide jaw development, allow children to chew and eat, and assist with speech development.

What can happen if cavities in baby teeth aren’t treated by a pediatric dentist?

The consequences of untreated cavities include infection and pain, damaged permanent teeth, difficulty chewing, speech problems, dental issues, and psychological effects. 

How does a pediatric dentist in Dallas treat cavities in baby teeth?

Depending on the severity of the decay, remineralization, dental fillings, crowns, or extractions will be recommended. 

What material is used for fillings?

At Children’s Dentistry of North Dallas, we use tooth-colored resin to perfectly match the baby teeth.

Do I need to get a cavity filled if it is on a wiggly baby tooth?

Consult with your pediatric dentist. In many cases, the tooth may be allowed to fall out on its own with no dental treatment. 

How can I prevent cavities in baby teeth?

Be vigilant about brushing for two minutes, twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, flossing once daily when teeth touch, and visiting the dentist twice a year. Other factors, like mouth breathing, can make teeth more susceptible to cavities. If you suspect your child is mouth breathing, consult your pediatric dentist.