Fillings
Here at Meadow Park Family Dentistry, we are proud to offer fillings to our patients.
Dental fillings are used to treat different dental problems like cavities and broken teeth. Teeth are usually filled with a material called composite resin, which is designed to look like natural teeth. Fillings can also be done with gold, porcelain, or silver amalgam.
Composite resin takes a little longer, though most people still prefer it because it creates natural-looking teeth. It takes more than one layer, and a special light is used to harden the area around the filling.
Before your child gets a filling, your child will receive a local anesthetic to numb the gums around the tooth. We will then clean away the bad and decayed part of the tooth so that it is ready to be filled. Some dentists will apply glass ionomer to protect the tooth and nerve. Once the tooth is filled in, we will smooth over the rough edges and polish it so it looks natural.
The amount of time it takes to fill a tooth varies based on the extent of the damage to it. The cost may also increase the longer the filling takes.
If you have any questions about fillings or think your child may need one, please contact us today at (817) 464-8655.
Cavities
Here at Meadow Park Family Dentistry, we are dedicated to preventing cavities in children.
Though most adults don’t think about it, it is quite common for children to get cavities. There are two reasons that cavities develop so frequently in children. First, children often do not brush their teeth the way they should. Second, they eat sugary diets and drink sugary beverages.
Cavities can be very painful for children. If left untreated, they can lead to decay and periodontitis. For this reason, parents need to make sure their children are eating well and taking care of their teeth at home. It is also important that children visit the dentist twice a year to help prevent cavities and maintain good oral health.
Cavities are caused by eating sugary food regularly. Sugars and carbohydrates stick to the teeth. Then plaque (a sticky film) forms on the enamel of the teeth. Bacteria that lives in the plaque continues to build up as more sugary food is consumed. The bacteria emit acid which weakens the enamel, making it more vulnerable to tooth decay. If the condition isn’t treated, the acid breaks down the enamel and moves inward.
Even though your children will lose their baby teeth, these teeth are still important and need to be taken care of. Children need to brush at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. They also need to visit their dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning. During those visits, the dentist may seal their teeth. The dentist may also use a fluoride supplement to strengthen their teeth.
Even if you take good care of your children’s mouths, you need to keep an eye out for cavities. Though large ones can be painful, your children may not notice the smaller one. The sooner cavities are caught, the easier they are to treat.
For this reason, you should keep an eye out for symptoms of cavities. Children may complain about a toothache or general pain in their mouths. You may notice sensitivity to cold or hot foods. Some children wake up in the middle of the night crying from the pain.
Sometimes cavities are so small that dentists need to use x-rays to find them. If you think that your child has a cavity, it is important to have him or her seen right away.
There are many ways to prevent cavities. Regular dental visits and good home care are necessary for good health. You should also watch your children’s diet. Cut out sugar, sticky foods, and other snacks and drinks that can cause cavities. Snacking also exposes the teeth to extra sugar during the day. It is important to not give your children drinks at bedtime because the sugar in the drinks will just sit in your children’s mouths all night long.
Sippy cups also have been known to cause cavities because the sugary liquid in them sticks to children’s teeth. Pacifiers can also cause bacteria to grow in children’s mouths. They should be washed thoroughly in a sink not in your own mouth, which transfers bacteria. You should never dip a pacifier in anything even in an effort to calm a child. Honey or any other sugary substance will stick to children’s teeth and allow cavities to form.
The best way to maintain your children’s good dental health is regular brushing and flossing. They also need to visit the dentist regularly to make sure they don’t have any cavities or to get any cavities they do have taken care of right away.
If you have any questions about preventing cavities, don’t hesitate to contact us today at (817) 464-8655.