Establishing good oral hygiene begins at an early age. Most dental professionals recommend that a child see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth erupts or at one year of age, whichever comes first. As a parent, you likely want to know what types of dental measures your child might need at such a young age. Three common dental procedures help keep children’s teeth in good shape throughout childhood.
1. Stainless Steel Crowns
Baby teeth are very small, so when a cavity begins in them, it can grow rapidly. When the cavity gets too large to be restored with a simple filling, doctors specializing in pediatric dentistry Los Angeles CA may recommend a stainless steel crown. These are silver caps that protect the teeth from further decay. For front teeth, there are porcelain caps that can be used.
2. Dental Fillings
Dental fillings are common restorations used for both adults and children. Fillings can be metal or tooth-colored. The dentist will choose the material based on the strength needed to restore the tooth. In this procedure, decay is removed from the tooth, and the filling material is used to pack the hole left behind.
3. Space Maintainers
Baby teeth are important placeholders for permanent tooth eruptions, so when they are lost early, intervention is often necessary. A space maintainer may be placed to ensure there is room for the permanent tooth to erupt correctly. This is most often done for the molar teeth because they are so important to the proper alignment of the permanent teeth.
Staying informed about common pediatric dental procedures can help you make the right decisions for your child’s oral care. A thorough discussion with your child’s dentist about necessary procedures should be carried out at each appointment. In this way, you can help your child establish healthy oral hygiene habits for life.