Pediatric tooth decay impacts your child’s dental health well into the future, causing permanent teeth to erupt improperly or become decayed in the gums. An important part of good pediatric dental care is preventing decay from forming and getting prompt treatment from a reliable family dentist if it develops. If you’re a concerned parent, here’s what you should know about this condition.

Prevention

Preventing a health concern is always easier than treating one. With children, the appropriate prevention steps also equip them to practice healthy dental care throughout life. Begin caring for your child’s teeth as soon as they erupt by taking them to the family dentist and brushing and flossing their teeth as recommended. Limit their sugar intake, and avoid putting them to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, or anything sweet, as the overnight exposure to sugars will lead to cavities. In fact, bottles themselves have been linked to dental decay, so try to have your child weaned off them by 1½ years old.

As your kids age, maintain an active role and set a positive example by brushing and flossing together daily, supervising your child’s dental routine until they’re 10 or 11 to ensure thoroughness. To go the extra step, speak with their dentist about getting dental sealants when their first molars come in, typically around age 5 or 6. Sealants coat the tooth in a durable layer to prevent cavities from developing.

Symptoms

If you’re worried your child has tooth decay, don’t panic. In the early stages of decay, the affected teeth will become discolored with white patches, which indicates the enamel is beginning to decay. Once the enamel is gone, the decay will spread to the dentin of the tooth, forming a small cavity that will be tan in color. The cavity will grow and become darker, forming a more noticeable hole as it erodes the tooth.

If they have a cavity, your child may complain of a toothache, facial pain, jaw pain, or tooth sensitivity caused by certain foods and extreme temperatures. Cavities can form between teeth and other hard-to-see places, so always have persistent pains checked by a dental care expert, even if you don’t see signs of decay yourself.

When your child needs expert dental care to prevent or treat decay, rely on dentist James Julien, DDS, in Kenai, AK. With over 20 years of experience, he and his friendly team will provide a soothing and positive experience for your child, whether they need a cleaning, filling, or sealant. Accepting all local insurances and offering same-day appointments, they make your visit to the family dentist convenient and simple, with affordable payment plans available. View their dental care services online, and call (907) 283-4857 to request an appointment.