Cavity Fillings

Cavities, also known as dental caries or tooth decay, are damaged areas of teeth that develop into tiny holes. Tooth decay happens when bacteria build up in the mouth and teeth after snacking on sugary foods and drinks, or not cleaning teeth well. Some children are more prone to cavities than others.

Signs and symptoms of cavities include:

• Toothaches
• Tooth sensitivity, especially to heat or cold
• Small holes in teeth
• White, black, or brown stains in teeth

When cavities are left untreated, they can become larger and more painful. That’s why early detection and treatment are so important.

Dr. Sina and the Kids Tooth Drs at Dentistry for Children examine your child’s teeth to determine if a filling is necessary. For smaller cavities, Dr. Sina may recommend a type of fluoride treatment called silver diamine fluoride (SDF) instead of a filling, which is a colorless antimicrobial liquid that helps stop tooth decay that isn’t severe.

For more advanced cavities, the team of dentists at Dentistry for Children applies fillings, which are made of a tooth-colored composite material and fill in holes in teeth made by cavities. During a cavity filling procedure, your dentist:

• Removes decayed parts of the teeth
• Cleans out the affected area
• Fills in cavity holes with tooth-colored fillings

Because white fillings are much less noticeable and blend in with the natural color of teeth, Dr. Sina chooses to use them instead of silver fillings to eliminate cavities and prevent further tooth decay. The Kids Tooth Drs at Dentistry for Children are warm, compassionate, and gentle during cavity filling procedures to make children feel comfortable and put them at ease.

Once your child’s cavity is filled, good oral hygiene habits help prevent future cavities and include:

• Brush twice daily with an ADA-accepted fluoride toothpaste
• Replace toothbrushes every 3-4 months
• Floss every day
• Avoid sugary candies and drinks
• See a pediatric dentist regularly

If your child experiences signs or symptoms of a cavity, call Dr. Sina and the rest of the Kids Tooth Drs at Dentistry for Children to schedule an appointment or use the online booking feature.