Childhood cavities are extremely common. A recent National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research report found that 46% of kids across America have tooth decay.
Fortunately, we have an effective way to treat this issue and protect the tooth: dental fillings. Irene Zaki, DDS, uses fillings to stop tooth decay and protect your child’s tooth from further damage. Visit our team at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry in Riverside, California. We can check for cavities and treat them with a filling if Dr. Zaki finds any.
Be advised, though, that fillings don’t last forever. Here’s what parents need to know about the lifespan of dental fillings and how to make sure your child’s teeth continue getting the protection they need.
Fillings are designed to last a while. Generally, you can expect the filling to protect your child’s tooth for about a decade. If the filling is being placed on a baby tooth, the tooth will probably fall out before the filling needs any further care.
Dr. Zaki checks any fillings your child has at each routine oral health appointment. This way, she can tell if any of them need replacements. If your child just got a filling, you shouldn’t need to have that conversation for a long while.
How long the filling lasts depends on several factors, including the material Dr. Zaki uses, your child’s oral health habits, and lifestyle factors, such as nighttime tooth grinding and what and how your child chews.
Here at Happy Teeth Children’s Dentistry, Dr. Zaki works with you to help the filling last as long as possible. That means choosing the right filling material for your child’s tooth and helping your family implement some tips to protect it.
Immediately after the filling, protect that tooth. For the first couple of days afterward, encourage your child to:
This helps to minimize any sensitivity they might have right after getting the filling.
Through the years, the following helps the filling avoid issues:
Nighttime teeth grinding can stress the filling, making it more likely to have problems. If you notice that your child is grinding their teeth, talk to Dr. Zaki.
Finally, ensure your child wears a mouthguard when their sport of choice calls for it.
If you think your child might need a filling or you want to have any fillings they already have checked, make an appointment with Dr. Zaki. Call Happy Teeth Children's Dentistry or book your visit online today.
