While parents know a kids’ dentist is the best place to go when their child complains of a toothache, few realize there are many different ways cavities can be treated. Depending on the nature and location of the cavity, your child’s dentist will choose one of a few possible methods to address the decay.

3 Common Cavity Treatments for Children

1. Fillings

Perhaps the most well-known cavity treatment, a filling is used when the decay has reached the tooth’s dentin, or the layer just beneath the enamel. First, the dentist thoroughly removes the decay, then cleans the area to ready it for a filling material such as tooth-colored composite resin. The filling seals the tooth against further decay.

2. Sealants

Kids’ dentists often recommend sealants as preventive measures against cavities, especially in the rear molars. It’s easier for plaque and food to accumulate in the recesses of the mouth, while it may also be more difficult for children to brush back there. By blocking out food debris and plaque, sealants combat cavities on the rear molars, also known as pit and fissure cavities.

3. Fluoride Treatment

When decay occurs on the flat, exterior surface of the tooth, it forms a smooth-surface cavity. These less common cavities may respond well to minimal interventions like fluoride. Kids’ dentists may recommend an in-office fluoride treatment in combination with a fluoride toothpaste or mouth rinse to combat the cavity. If it progresses to the dentin, however, a filling will likely be needed.

If your child is prone to cavities, the team at Pedodontic Associates is here to help. As a trusted kids’ dentist office in Honolulu, HI, for over 25 years, they specialize in oral care for infants, children, and adolescents. Their team uses cavity prevention tactics like sealants to help little ones maintain a healthy smile. Explore their additional tips for combating tooth decay online. To schedule an appointment, call (808) 735-1733 for Honolulu, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului.