Children

What to do if a child has tooth decay

It's important to take care of any decay in your child's mouth as soon as it is identified. Extensive tooth decay in children that results in premature loss of teeth can lead to unnecessary pain and infection; and problems with the bite (occlusion) as the permanent teeth move into improper locations in the jaws.
Learn more: Diagnoses › Caries

Abnormal tooth position can cause excess wear on the permanent teeth, difficulty performing oral hygiene, more problems with tooth decay, gum disease, and problems with the jaw joints. In addition, crowded, rotated teeth may produce esthetic concerns which can affect social development.
Learn more: Diagnoses › Malocclusion

Tooth decay in children is normally treated the same as in adults. The decay is removed from the tooth, and the missing tooth structure is filled with any of a variety of dental restorative materials. Options generally include fillings (silver amalgam, composite resin and glass ionomer), and prefabricated crowns (generally made of stainless steel or plastic).
Learn more: Procedures › Crowns
Learn more about treating tooth decay in children: Procedures › Fillings & core buildups
Learn more: Procedures › Fillings & core buildups