“Should my child have a pediatric dental consultation for fillings?”

The short answer is yes. Tooth decay is an infectious process and can lead to serious consequences if left untreated. Primary teeth are lost between the ages of 5 and 12 so depending on the child's age, tooth in question and extent of decay appropriate treatment alternatives can be explained by your Pediatric Dentist.

The baby teeth have several important purpose in children's mouths:
- Holding the space for permanent teeth
- Speech
- eating
So the baby teeth that have cavities should get filling otherwise the cavities will grow bigger and cause problems.

Yes, he/she should have been seen by a dentist. Baby teeth should be kept healthy until permanent teeth are ready to erupt.

Primary or 'baby' teeth are important - and the last one may not be lost until early teen year. Untreated decay can lead to pain and infection.
Pediatric dentists have extra years of training - by all means, contact one for a second opinion if that helps.

Pediatric teeth are still present until the patient is 11/12 years old. I have always done restorations on pediatric teeth unless they are ready to come out then I will either wait till it comes out or extract depending on the severity of the decay.

Children’s teeth need to stay in good health. Cavities in a baby tooth can cause pain or altered eating to avoid it. The adult teeth that are underneath can be affected it the baby tooth gets an infection. Your child should be checked annually from the age of 2, and if a baby tooth needs a filling, it should be done unless the tooth will be changing within 9 months.

As a parent, you are responsible to care for your child’s teeth. You must teach your children how to brush their teeth properly & then check to see that they are doing it. You may also have to brush their teeth for them. Your child should have their first pediatric dental consultation around the age of two. Then routine dental exams & cleanings should occur every 6 months. Pediatric dentists spend an additional two to three years after their general dental training specializing in the growth & development of children. They have learned how to restore pediatric decay using advanced pediatric behavioral management. They learn some orthodontic techniques as well. It is important to care for your child’s primary teeth to prevent dental decay. Untreated dental decay can lead to severe health consequences, pain, &, in rare instances, death. Primary teeth are important for chewing food properly & speaking properly. They hold the space for the developing permanent teeth & help guide the eruption path of the secondary teeth. If primary teeth are lost prematurely, then a holding appliance is frequently required.

Carrol Fenn, DDS

Absolutely, whether at a pediatric or general/family dentist. Dental caries (tooth cavities) is the most common disease among children needlessly causing pain and discomfort that is totally easily preventable and easily treated. As a result of dental caries, early tooth and space loss causes problems with proper eruption of adult teeth and proper jaw and facial development, which is guided by primary (baby) tooth retention and exfoliation (normal tooth shedding).

Yes. A pediatric dentist will forgo fillings on teeth that will fall out soon (within 6 months). If your child has cavities those can lead to pain and infection even with baby teeth:(