Dental cavities are small holes that may form in the teeth if the tooth enamel is weakened or worn down. Once the enamel has been worn away is no longer able to protect the tooth, the natural bacteria and acids that come from the food your child eats will eat holes in the teeth, causing cavities. This is why it’s so important to make sure your child is practicing good pediatric oral hygiene to brush these bacteria and acids away.
If caught early enough, dental cavities can be easily treated. This is why regular dental exams are so important! Dr. Ben can catch dental cavities in the early stages before your child even begins to experience a toothache. If a cavity is left untreated and allowed to progress, it could lead to a potential tooth infection, which can be very painful and may even lead to the loss of the tooth.
The best way to prevent cavities is to limit the amount of sugar (including sugary drinks) your child consumes and to teach them to practice good oral hygiene. Your children learn from you! So if you have good habits, chances are they will develop good habits too. Additionally, you should begin bringing your children to Little Smiles of Delaware as soon as they have teeth or by the age of one and making sure they receive dental cleanings and exams every six months. This will allow us to catch any type of dental disease in the earlier stages.
If you’re concerned that your child may have a dental cavity or if you simply need to make an appointment for your children to receive regular dental cleanings and checkups, please don’t hesitate to contact Little Smiles of Delaware. We want all of our little patients to benefit from a cavity-free childhood!