Tooth Decay |
pediatric dentistry |
Tooth decay (cavities or caries) is a progressive disease that often begins in very young children. Decay is a result of the interaction between bacteria that are normally in our mouths and sugars in the everyday diet. The bacteria use those sugars to produce acid. A tooth exposed to this acid will lose mineral, and that loss is the first step toward tooth decay. Your pediatric dentist can remove the decay and use tooth-colored fillings to restore the tooth to health and function. If tooth decay is very severe, there may be nerve damage and a stainless steel crown might be required. Your pediatric dentist is familiar with treatment techniques required for extensive tooth decay and can employ medications that control pain and alleviate your child's apprehension about treatment.
Visiting a pediatric dentist early in the child's growing years can help avoid unnecessary decay and dental treatment later.
