This is a common question from parents, and completely understandable. Why go through the hassle of getting a filling on a tooth that is going to fall out eventually?

Short answer: The filling is needed for the long-term health of your child’s teeth, which has a very important connection to their adult teeth.

For the detailed answer, continue reading below. We promise it will be worth the read!

Sooner is Better

Treating a cavity early on means your child will have a much easier treatment experience. It’s easier and less stressful (for both parent and child) to treat a small cavity in a baby tooth than a large one. After all, we all want your child’s experiences at the dentist to be as positive as possible as they can affect their perspective of dental health and visits to the dentist for many years to come.

The Problem with Waiting to Get a Filling

If you delay getting a filling on your child’s tooth – maybe because it looks tiny and innocent – don’t delay for too long, or without consulting your dentist.

Baby teeth have thinner enamel from adult teeth, so decay can move more quickly. When left untreated, cavities have a way of turning into a tooth infection, which cannot always be seen on the surface. It’s not until your child experiences symptoms such as pain and/or swelling, that we know a cavity has been left too long.

Sometimes an infection can lead to more serious complications.

Why Baby Teeth Matter

Baby teeth set the stage for permanent teeth. In other words, when permanent teeth are ready to come in (starting around age 6), they follow the ‘path’ created by the baby teeth. This often causes the baby tooth to come loose and get pushed out of the way.

For further reference, here are two dental development charts from the Canadian Dental Association showing each tooth’s placement and timing.

Other important roles of baby teeth include helping our kids to chew food and to speak clearly.

Impacts on Adult Teeth

If baby teeth are removed prematurely because it can no longer be repaired with a filling, it can cause cause a shift in placement of the teeth in the gum – which is especially problematic with the molars. ‘Drifting’ molars can easily lead to overcrowding, impaction (a tooth remains stuck in the gum tissue) and other complications.

A bad infection left in the root of the baby tooth can also affect the appearance of the permanent tooth. The new tooth may look scarred or deformed.

Learn more about the health of your child’s baby teeth by making an appointment at our Surrey dental clinic today.