What’s the Point of Restorative Dentistry for Baby Teeth?
August 3, 2023 3:12 pmLet’s say you’re living in a house that’s due to be demolished in approximately a year. The stove handle broke, a drawer is crooked and won’t pull out correctly, and your shower curtain rod is no longer drilled into the wall. Do you fix the problems? Or do you live with these inconveniences because the changes aren’t permanent anyway? Hopefully, you would fix your environment instead of sitting in misery because these small problems add up over time, just like cavities in your child’s baby teeth. At Brooks Pediatric Dentistry in San Antonio, we hope to help your child live more comfortably with the teeth they have. We aim to build a healthy, happy foundation with their teeth and gums, so they have the best possible shot at excellent oral health into adulthood. Our pediatric dentist offers tooth-colored fillings, dental crowns, and pulp therapy for children who are suffering from tooth decay.
Children Miss a Lot of School Due to Cavities Each Year
One study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) found that children with poor oral health were 3 times more likely to miss school due to dental pain than their counterparts. Because of this time away from school, these children were more likely to underperform academically. In addition to falling behind their classmates, these children also suffer emotionally. Another study in the Health Behavior and Policy Review discusses these effects, citing embarrassment, anxiety, withdrawal, and inability to concentrate. These effects are significant personally and financially. This same study found that 34.4 million school hours were lost due to unplanned dentist visits. On average, parents missed 2.5 days from work to care for children with acute dental problems. So, while children are falling behind, the parents’ productivity also suffers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that $45 billion dollars is lost in productivity every year due to untreated oral disease. All of this suffering can be avoided with regular dental visits and minor repairs at the time that they’re needed.Children With Untreated Cavities Suffer From Decay In Adulthood
Studies show that early childhood caries (ECC) are especially stubborn. The longer they remain untreated, the more likely they are to persist in primary and permanent teeth (NIH). Cavities that classify as ECC occur between the ages of 3 to 5, but they can occur in children under the age of 3. These particular cavities become harder to treat and do significant dental damage the longer they remain without intervention. Not all childhood cavities are ECC, but research indicates that typical childhood caries (not the more virulent strain) also continue to affect children for years to come. A Life Course Perspective on Health Trajectories and Transitions includes research stating that a child’s cavities predict their percentage of adult cavities. In other words, more cavities as children equal more cavities as adults. We don’t want that for your children. We want to treat problematic teeth and gums, so they are more comfortable, more productive, and more likely to enjoy healthy mouths as adults.Trust Our Pediatric Dentist to Treat Your Child’s Tooth Decay
Our pediatric dentist in San Antonio has the skill, training, and compassion to treat your children’s oral and dental health problems at the time that they develop. We want to offer kind and quality dental care to our patients, so they continue to maintain healthy teeth long after they leave our care. Schedule your appointment with our office by calling 210-756-8820 today.Tags: brooks pediatric, childhood dental caries, pediatric dentist in san antonio, restoration dentistry, restorative dentistry, san antonio, texas, tx
Categorised in: Cavity Prevention, General Dental Care, Pediatric Dentist, Preventive Dental Care, Restorative Dental Care
