Signs Your Child May Have a Cavity

Cavities, or dental caries, are holes in the tooth enamel and tooth caused by decay. This is a result of bacteria in the mouth, which breaks down the tooth enamel. Once this protective enamel is breached, the bacteria can get to work on the actual tooth and eat away at it causing decay. If caught early enough, the cavity can be treated and filled, but if left unattended, the decay can penetrate deep enough into the tooth to cause pain, infection and even tooth loss.

What to Look For

Preventing cavities is, of course, the first step in establishing lifelong healthy habits for your child. Brushing twice daily, flossing and regular visits to our office are all part of maintaining good oral health. But occasionally, even with good care, cavities happen. This doesn’t mean that you’ve failed as a parent, or that your child is inadequate in maintaining his or her oral health, it simply happens. The good news is that it’s treatable and can be caught early with regular checkups.
If you notice dark or light spots on your child’s teeth, this can be a sign of a cavity. Believe it or not, the white spots indicate a loss of minerals in the teeth, and is one of the first signs of a cavity. Obviously, if you notice chips, cracks or holes in your child’s teeth, this needs to be examined immediately by our office.

Tooth sensitivity is another sign that accompanies dental caries. Do you notice that your child is avoiding certain foods? Perhaps they complain of a pain or tingling feeling when they eat hot or cold foods, this is an early sign of tooth decay and cavities.
Of course, the best way for you to determine whether or not your child has cavities is to schedule a cleaning and let our friendly, skilled staff examine your child. Give our office a call today!