{"id":234,"date":"2023-08-10T20:11:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-10T20:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tictactooth.com\/blog\/?p=234"},"modified":"2023-12-10T20:14:28","modified_gmt":"2023-12-10T20:14:28","slug":"importance-of-treating-tooth-decay-in-primary-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tictactooth.com\/blog\/2023\/08\/10\/importance-of-treating-tooth-decay-in-primary-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Fillings Necessary for Baby Teeth?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"YoungAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 52% of children aged 6-8 years have suffered at least one cavity. 23% of children between the ages of 2-5 have had cavities. Tooth decay is more common than childhood asthma, despite being almost 100% preventable. If your child\u2019s pediatric dentist finds decay, it must be treated, even if it’s a baby tooth. Although the tooth will fall out in a couple of years, it can have lasting consequences for their oral health and development if it’s not treated. Here’s how a filling<\/a> can preserve their tooth and what you can do to keep cavities at bay.<\/p>\n

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Risks of Untreated Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tooth decay is easy to treat with a dental filling when caught early. With no treatment, decay can reach the inner layers of the tooth, which can result in a painful infection. A filling won’t be enough to repair their tooth if this occurs. Instead, they will require a root canal. If treatment is delayed even longer, their tooth can die and will need to be extracted. The infection may also enter their bloodstream, which can have potentially life-threatening complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every baby tooth is important for your child’s development and overall wellness. Losing a primary tooth too soon can affect their oral functions and speech development. Baby teeth also act as placeholders for their permanent set. If a tooth is lost before it’s ready to fall out naturally, it can affect the alignment of their adult teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Treating Childhood Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A cavity can be treated with a tooth-colored filling. The composite resin is metal-free, so there’s no risk of mercury exposure. It’s biocompatible and will blend in with their tooth. The procedure is minimally invasive and doesn’t involve any downtime. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preventing Childhood Tooth Decay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Although cavities are common, you can take several steps to lessen your little one’s risk of decay, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n