14 Apr From a Child’s First Tooth to the First Cavity

All parents mark the milestone of their baby growing up with the coming of the first tooth. And more often than not when the first tooth falls out we keep it safe, a precious memory of those early years.

Unfortunately, the first tooth can be quickly followed by the first cavity.

So how do we prepare our children for their first experience of a “drill and fill” appointment with their friendly family dentist?

The best approach is all in how you talk to your child about caring for their teeth. Paediatric dentists all agree that a child’s first visit to the dentist should never be referred to as a negative or frightening experience.  Instead try taking a positive approach, tell your child how the dentist is going to repair the tooth quickly and painlessly. Prepare them for the experience by explaining what is going to happen, let your child know what to expect and once they understand the process they will be less likely to be fearful. Children will follow the parent’s lead, so if Mom and Dad take a relaxed approach the child will follow suit. On the other hand, if Mom or Dad feels nervous and anxious about a visit to the dentist, the child will pick up on those emotions and will also feel fearful.

Most parents try to provide their child with the best possible care and that includes finding a dentist for children who is experienced in infant dental care, and can answer questions related to dental care for children.  At True Dental, we understand how anxious parents can be when it comes to making sure they have a dentist they can trust. True So with this in mind, we have compiled a few answers to the most commonly asked questions.

The Cause of Cavities?

A common misconception about cavities is that they are caused by too much sugar, and parents who are strict about giving sugar to their children are surprised to hear that their child needs a filling. But the truth is that  cavities in baby teeth can be attributed to many causes, including a sugary diet, lack of fluoride, the shape of the teeth, dental genetics and even the unique composition of mouth bacteria.

To Fill or Not to Fill?

Many parents ask us if it is necessary have baby teeth filled because they are going to fall out anyway. However, the problems with leaving a cavity untreated is that it can cause a range of problems from relatively mild sensitivity or pain to the more serious infection and abscess.

Silver or White? 

There are two common types of fillings used in the treatment of cavities, composite (white) and amalgam (silver).

Amalgam fillings are hardwearing, but they also expand over time causing the filing to fracture. Amalgam fillings are 50 percent mercury, and there is a lot of debate about the safety of using mercury, a neurotoxin, in amalgam fillings.  The American Dental Association states that mercury fillings are safe, however,  there is much debate over the presence of mercury in fillings and many parents prefer to choose composite fillings as a healthier option.

Composite fillings are the most popular choice, they look more natural, there are no toxic metals added to the formula, and they require less drilling. The down side of composite fillings is that they don’t last as long as amalgam fillings, but this may not be a concern when the cavity is in the first set of teeth.

However, as with all health concerns prevention is better than cure, and with this in mind the Canadian Dental Association recommends flossing, brushing twice a day, and following a diet that is low on sugar and full of lots of fruit and vegetables.

Resources:

[http://www.todaysparent.com/kids/school-age/heres-the-drill-your-childs-first-filling/]

[http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1021047/a-guide-to-your-childs-first-cavity]

[http://www.denverpost.com/ci_16363204

Link 1: http://truedental.ca/our-dr-team/

Link 2: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_16363204

Link 3: http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/1021047/a-guide-to-your-childs-first-cavity