Dubai, UAE - How are cavities in babies treated? Do baby teeth need fillings? These are excellent questions to ask as parents, and the short answer is yes. Humans are born with two sets of teeth. Baby teeth are the first set that erupts during infancy and the adult teeth, also known as permanent teeth, later replace the baby teeth between the ages of 6 and 12. Baby teeth are significant as they allow children to eat and speak clearly, and serve as a placeholder for permanent teeth. Baby teeth require good care just as much as permanent teeth and if cavities develop, those cavities usually need to be filled.

What causes cavities in baby teeth and what to do about it?
The abundance of bacteria in the mouth causes cavities. These bacteria feed on sugars and secrete acid that eats away at the tooth enamel (the thin outer covering of a tooth) over time, and causes a hole. The enamel of baby teeth is thinner compared to the enamel of adult teeth making it easier for the acid to cause cavities. On the bright side, regular brushing and flossing can prevent the buildup of cavities and plaque - the reason children are advised to brush twice a day, even adults. Until around ten years of age, children are unable to brush well or floss correctly by themselves and parents need to supervise their brushing or help them brush and carefully floss between their teeth. Parents must ensure their child maintains good oral hygiene which includes regular dental checkups once every 6 months. On the flip side, poor oral hygiene isn’t the only one that causes cavities; diet plays an influential role as well. Children who eat a lot of sweets and sugar are easily prone to developing cavities.

As soon as a cavity is detected, there are three main factors your pediatric dentist will consider: How close the tooth is to falling out, the size of the cavity, and the risks associated with it. If the cavity is on a loose or a soon-to-fall-out tooth, your dentist may advise on leaving it alone and taking extra care of it. This only works if a cavity is caught early and can be taken care of by improving oral hygiene and visiting the dentist regularly for check-ups. Suppose the cavity is big or the tooth isn’t due to fall out for another 1-2 years, your dentist may recommend a filling or restoring the tooth with a crown. If the cavity is bigger, your dentist may recommend an extraction. Talk to your dentist to see if your child needs to get a filling.

Why are fillings necessary in baby teeth?
Filling a decayed baby tooth is the key to preventing an abscess. It allows your child to eat and speak normally and protects the permanent tooth below the gumline. It can also promote healthy eating habits, growth, and development. Fillings prevent the crowding of teeth, keep them from shifting, and provide sufficient space for permanent teeth when they come in. Decay can spread and result in early loss of baby teeth, and fillings prevent the spread. Baby teeth serve the same important purposes as permanent teeth and should be cared for equally.

Preventing cavities in the first place is even better than having them filled. The best way to prevent cavities in your child is to follow a good oral hygiene routine. Dr. Yasmin Kottait, the best dentist for kids in Dubai, recommends checking your child’s teeth to see if there are visible holes, pits, or any discolouring. Tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking something sweet, hot, or cold must also be paid attention too. If so, schedule an appointment with your pediatric dentist for a check-up on cavities and stop any further growth. Take your child to the dentist once every six months for a checkup and a cleaning. If they do develop cavities, this will help the dentist to detect them early when they are easiest to treat.
About Dr. Yasmin Kottait: Having dedicated 16 years of her career to spreading smiles and imparting knowledge of oral hygiene to children, Dr. Yasmin is a renowned name and face in the field of pediatric dentistry in Dubai. Her joyful personality and magical kid-whispering powers make dental appointments for kids an easy sail – and lots of fun, that they never miss a single dental appointment with her! Dr. Yasmin is also one of the few Autism friendly dentists in the region, with a diploma in Cognitive Based Hypnotherapy and IBCCES Autism certification.