At Playtime Pediatric Dental Clinic in Vancouver and South Surrey, we know that caring for your child’s teeth is essential. In the same fashion, our team focuses on early cavity detection as a way to prevent long-term issues. Just as important, we help your family establish good oral care habits early to maintain a lasting healthy smile.
We always focus on pediatric dentistry fundamentals and continuously evolve our practice to provide the best pediatric dentistry care to achieve these goals. Pediatric dentistry is about compassion, effectiveness, and safety at the core.
As parents, you need to schedule your child’s first dental at six months after the first tooth has erupted, and we will make sure the experience is comfortable.
Early Cavity Detection Insight
Baby teeth are essential to your child’s health and development as they hold a spot for permanent teeth to come incorrectly. Baby teeth help them with chewing and facial and speech development. If there is tooth decay in primary teeth, it’s essential to address it before it becomes a severe problem. Early cavity detection means treatment will be easier, faster, more affordable, and less invasive. Read more about How Often Your Child Should Have a Check-Up.
Diagnosing A Cavity
Your dentist can usually detect tooth decay by asking your child about tooth pain and sensitivity. Subsequently, the dentist examines their mouth and teeth, by probing their teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas. The final step is to look at dental X-rays, showing the extent of cavities and decay. Next, our dentist will tell you which of the three cavities they have found, smooth surface, pit, fissure, or root.
Smooth Surface Cavities
In its earliest stage, smooth surface tooth decay can be reversed. For example, fluoride can help remineralize early decay areas on smooth surfaces. Another option is treatment with specialized resin that blocks tiny holes in smooth surface enamel, preventing the growth of bacteria and halting the progress of decay. Click here to book a dental appointment.
Pit and Fissure Cavities
Early cavity detection is vital in finding pit and fissure cavities. Pit and fissure are located on the rear molars within the grooves on the chewing surface of the teeth. Food easily sticks to these grooves, making it easy for cavities to form. The early detection of this type of cavity means treatment is as simple as using a sealant or some fluoride. Once the cavity becomes more profound, a dentist will need to remove decay and restore the tooth with fillings or a root canal and crowns.
Early Cavity Detection and Treating Tooth Decay Early
With prompt treatment, almost every type of cavity is treatable without much trouble. However, expensive and lengthy treatments usually become inevitable when treatment is delayed. There is also a chance of developing pain and infection. This is why it’s so important to maintain regular dental checkups to help detect unknown problems before they evolve into serious and costly dental problems.
Modern Pediatric Dentistry Equipment and Materials
At Playtime Pediatric Dentistry, we invest in proven, modern equipment and materials to make appointments safer, speedier, more effective, and pleasant. Our dentists stay up to date on recent advancements in dental treatment, and collectively our team is known for providing exceptional service to care for your child. Read more to determine if your child has a cavity.
Book an Appointment
As with adults, your child needs to get their teeth cleaned and a dental checkup every six months. Kids should start going to the dentist soon after their first tooth erupts or around their first birthday, whichever happens first. Click here to book a dental appointment.