Recent research carried out at the University of Manchester has shown rather worryingly that 40% of five-year-olds in Britain have tooth decay, and a 10% have already had a dental filling. Now it’s being suggested by some dental experts that fillings are unnecessary as a child’s primary teeth will fall out anyway, provided of course that the decay isn’t causing any pain or disruption to daily life. It’s believed that subjecting a child to having a filling could be an unnecessary procedure if they don’t have any symptoms as a result of the tooth decay. The same research shows that just 6% of parents would consider having their child’s tooth filled, and that most would prefer their dentist to monitor the situation to make sure the decay doesn’t progress any further, and to ensure their child isn’t suffering any pain or discomfort.

There aren’t any hard and fast guidelines on treating children with tooth decay as every case is different, and Dr David Brown or whoever is treating your child will make this decision based on the particular circumstances. It is a tricky decision to make, as even though these primary teeth will eventually be lost and replaced with adult teeth, there is a reason why these primary teeth are so necessary.

Primary Teeth Have a Vital Role to Play in Your Child’s Development

These teeth perform a vital role in helping your child to learn to speak normally so they can easily make themselves understood, and they help them to eat a balanced and varied diet which is essential for good nutrition. While having a good diet is vital at any age, it’s especially important that a growing child receives all the necessary nutrients to develop normally. In addition it will help them learn to enjoy a greater number of foods, while in contrast suffering from dental pain due to tooth decay could make them avoid certain foods that are very nutritious but which are harder to chew. Another important reason for helping primary teeth to last as long as possible is that they help maintain the correct spaces for the adult teeth, allowing them to develop normally, increasing the chances that your child will end up with teeth that meet together correctly and that don’t require significant orthodontic treatment.

Preventative Dental Care Is a Far Better Option

There’s little doubt that it can be upsetting for both parent and child to learn that a filling is necessary, so it’s definitely better to practice preventative dental care. This is something that Leeds City Dentalcare can help with, as it is recommended that all children visit our dentist in Leeds before the age of one, or soon after they have their first tooth. You’ll find our dental team is a valuable source of information on how to look after these teeth and how to lessen the risk of cavities. We can show you how to brush and floss these first teeth, and can also give you advice on diet and which foods need to be enjoyed in moderation. For instance fruit juice may seem like a healthy drink but it can be laden with sugar and is best diluted with plain water or simply kept as an occasional treat. Foods that are high in acids and sugars will help to erode the hard layer of tooth enamel that protects your child’s teeth. This makes it much easier for bacteria to attack the teeth and to cause cavities.

If we do notice any sign of enamel erosion that may indicate a cavity is trying to develop, we can monitor the situation and provide advice on helping to prevent this dental erosion from progressing. And also give guidance for preventive and cosmetic dentistry in Leeds. With proper dental care we hope to make sure your child has a healthy smile right into adulthood.