A typical patient’s comprehensive prevention program includes teeth cleaning, X-rays, and examination by a pediatric dentist. Bacteria in the mouth, called plaque,  can cause decay if not properly cleaned and removed from the teeth. While it is possible for a patient to remove most plaque with brushing, floss, and mouth rinse,  pediatric patients may have difficulty maintaining a plaque-free state for extended periods of time. Regular cleanings by a pediatric dental professional are important to remove hardened plaque and stains from the teeth. During treatments, hard surfaces are polished to minimize the accumulation and retention of plaque. This process also introduces dental procedures to the young child to begin a lifelong preventive dental routine.

Most cavities in children are found on the chewing surfaces of back teeth. These teeth have deep grooves and depressions, and can be extremely difficult to clean away food and cavity-causing bacteria with conventional brushing. By placing dental sealants, these susceptible areas of the teeth are protected by covering the crevices with a clear or white resin material. Sealants essentially “seal out” food and bacteria from residing on the tooth surface,  which significantly reduces the risk of decay.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring element that is safe and effective for preventing tooth decay. Fluoride that is ingested through water, food, or supplements is incorporated into developing tooth structure. The tooth enamel becomes stronger and more resistant to acid from cavity-causing bacteria. Fluoride that is applied to the outside of teeth prevents loss of minerals from tooth enamel and promotes replacement of minerals that have been lost due to acid attacks. Topical fluoride is also a very effective method in repairing early decay before it becomes an irreversible cavity. Another benefit of Flouride is that it stops the bacteria in the mouth that cause cavities, reducing the amount of acid that is produced by these bacteria.

Periodic cleanings by a dental professional are important to remove plaque, hardened plaque and stain from the teeth, polish hard surfaces to minimize the accumulation and retention of plaque, and introduce dental procedures to the young child and apprehensive patient.

Dental fillings are the most common restorative procedure done in a dental office. A common explanation for a young child is that their tooth will be “washed” to remove “sugar bugs” with a “water whistler” or “tooth tickler”. After the decay is removed, a filling is placed to restore the form and function of the tooth. Placement of a filling is often referred to as a “painting”  on the tooth. Typically fillings are tooth-colored resin.

In more severe cases, extractions may need to be performed due to severe decay, infection or abscess, trauma, or for orthodontic purposes. Children are guided through the procedure by phrases such as “pushing on the tooth” or “wiggling for the tooth fairy”. After tooth removal, the patient should remain on a soft diet until the extraction site has healed. Also, gentle brushing is encouraged to keep the area clean and promote healing.

Baby teeth do not work well with large fillings. Over 30% of large fillings placed on baby teeth fail within 18-20 months of placement. Therefore, stainless steel crowns are recommended for baby molar teeth with significant decay. This type of restoration covers the entire tooth and is particularly important for younger children whose molar teeth are needed for a number of years. The procedure can be done in one appointment. The decay is removed and the tooth is prepared so that the crown will fit over the top of the tooth. Once the appropriate size is selected for the tooth, the crown is secured to the tooth with adhesive cement. The gums around the tooth may be tender for a few days.

Large cavities on the front baby teeth of a young child should be restored to achieve proper speech development. Full coverage crowns are the sturdiest restoration for these teeth. Esthetic veneered crowns are stainless steel crowns with a white coating on the front to maintain natural esthetics and normal psychological development. Placement of this type of crown is the same as a traditional stainless steel crown.

If you live in Rockville Centre, New York and require an endodontic retreatment, give our office a call at (516) 233-1227 and make your appointment with Dr. Nina Babayev.