All baby teeth do eventually fall out. But children continue to use some of their baby teeth until they are about 12 years old. During this time, these teeth play important roles in maintaining a proper bite, guiding the permanent teeth into proper place, and everyday functions such as eating and speaking.
If a child needs dental fillings, the dentist and the parents should determine the most appropriate treatment approach. They should consider:
- How many cavities need treatment
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How serious the cavities are
- How the child will cope with dental treatment
- How healthy the child is overall
Some children can receive fillings in the dental chair. Others may need a mild sedative that can be inhaled, swallowed, or injected.
In more extreme cases, a child can be treated in a hospital setting under general anesthesia.
Dental treatment under general anesthesia is no longer uncommon. But it does come with a certain amount of risk. Talk to your dentist and dental anesthesiologist about specific questions regarding dental treatment under general anesthesia.
Cavities are not just "holes in the teeth." Decay is an active disease process that will progress unless it is managed though proper home care, diet, and professional dental care.
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