Cavities are a common sight with kids. With their love for candy and reluctance to brush, floss, and visit a pediatric dentist, it can be challenging to avoid dental damage. If your child has cavities, you may be concerned about the health of their adult teeth. Here is a guide to help understand how this issue can affect their oral health as they grow older.

How Baby Teeth Cavities Affect Adult Teeth

Decay in baby teeth can impact your children's dental health in the future. As bacteria grows, it can spread to the underlying bone that forms the root. Therefore, the growing adult teeth may become infected before they've reached maturity. In addition to decay, they may grow malformed or discolored due to bacteria exposure. 

Cavities at an early age can also affect the placement and shape of your child's teeth, as new ones may shift into an empty spot or grow where they're not supposed to. 

Cavities at an early age can affect the placement and shape of your child's new teeth, as they may shift and grow where they're not supposed to. When this new set becomes crowded, it can cause cavities as plaque builds up in tight spaces. These situations can lead to your child needing orthodontic work to correct misaligned teeth.

How to Protect Your Child's Teeth

Brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting the pediatric dentist twice a year will go a long way toward keeping your child's teeth in healthy shape. There are additional steps you can take, such as getting fluoride treatments at the dental office and strengthening the protective enamel. A professional can also apply a sealant that prevents decay in vulnerable areas.

Your child's diet also affects their oral health. Limit their intake of candy and sugary drinks to avoid decay. When they do have treats, brush their teeth promptly to avoid sugar buildup. If your kid shows signs of decay, a dentist should quickly fill these cavities so that the bacteria can't spread easily to the rest of the mouth.

If your child needs to visit a pediatric dentist, head to Pedodontic Associates. Their knowledgeable staff has created positive experiences for young patients throughout Oahu and Maui since 1977. Learn more about their services online. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 877-0066 for the Kahului location, (808) 735-1733 for the Honolulu office, or (808) 487-7933 if you're in Aiea.