Pediatric Dentistry
Cavities & Fillings
Gentle, tooth-colored fillings that treat cavities while preserving as much healthy tooth as possible.
A cavity is a spot where decay has broken down part of a tooth. It won’t heal on its own. A filling removes the decayed part and replaces it with a tooth-colored material that bonds to the tooth, which stops the decay from spreading.
Why baby teeth are worth filling
Parents ask us this all the time. It’s a fair question, since baby teeth do fall out. But the back ones often stay until age 10 to 12, and they hold space for the adult teeth, help kids chew, and help them speak clearly. A cavity left alone can grow, hurt, or become infected, and infection can affect the adult tooth forming underneath.
Say a checkup finds early decay between your 6-year-old’s back teeth. Caught now, that’s usually one small filling in a short visit. If it waits a year, the decay may reach the nerve and need more involved treatment.
How a filling visit goes
We tell your child what’s going to happen before it happens, in kid-friendly terms, and go at a pace that feels okay to them. Most fillings use a little local anesthetic so the tooth is numb. Then we remove the decay, place the filling, and harden it with a special light. We check the bite, and that’s it.
We take out only what the decay requires and leave healthy tooth alone wherever we can. The lip and cheek may stay numb for a couple of hours afterward, so watch for chewing on them.
Frequently asked questions
- Does a filling hurt?
- We take time to keep your child comfortable, and most fillings are done with a small amount of local anesthetic so the area feels numb. We explain each step in kid-friendly terms and go at a pace that feels okay for your child.
- Why fix a cavity in a baby tooth if it will fall out anyway?
- Baby teeth hold space for adult teeth and help with eating and speaking, and an untreated cavity can grow, cause pain, or affect the tooth developing underneath. Treating it early is usually simpler and gentler than waiting.
- What are the fillings made of?
- We use tooth-colored composite fillings that blend in naturally and bond to the tooth. During the visit we'll explain the options and recommend the most conservative approach for your child's tooth.
- How can we prevent more cavities?
- Regular brushing and flossing, limiting sugary drinks and snacks, and routine cleanings and exams go a long way. We're happy to share simple, practical tips tailored to your child's habits.