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How to Prevent Cavities

How to Avoid Cavities in Fort Lauderdale

Cavities are one of the most common dental issues in the world, and they can cause major oral health concerns throughout life. However, preventing and treating cavities before they progress can be especially important in children. At Smiley Kidz Dental, innovative cavity prevention treatments are a cornerstone of what we do. Whether your child is prone to developing cavities easily or is having trouble with proper hygiene because of braces, we can help.

We're proud to offer vital early dental care to families in Wilton Manors, Fort Lauderdale, and the surrounding communities. With many decades of experience, our dentists have the skills and knowledge to identify and treat cavities before they progress, saving you money on complicated procedures in the future. We're pleased to accept kids as early as their first tooth and will work with them into early adulthood to keep their smiles healthy. Contact our practice today to learn how we can help your kids avoid cavities!

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What Are Cavities?

Cavities are openings in the tooth caused by decay from bacteria on your teeth. Left untreated, cavities can reach deeper into the tooth's enamel and the soft tissue in the tooth root. When this occurs, cavities can lead to a tooth infection and may even require tooth removal in advanced cases.

Our dentists recommend regularly scheduled cleanings for your child and swift treatment of cavities when discovered. Cavity formation usually happens in three phases:

  1. Plaque forms: Dental plaque is the common culprit that works to break down tooth enamel and cause cavities over time. Foods you eat and beverages you drink, especially those high in sugar, can give bacteria the energy they need to multiply, increasing the amount of plaque on your teeth.
  2. Plaque attacks: Plaque produces acids that attack the enamel in your teeth. Over time, this acid will open holes and allow bacteria to enter your inner tooth structure. Once bacteria enter your tooth, it can become hard to remove with your toothbrush. Our dental cleanings will help to remove bacteria and arrest the progress of cavities as they endanger teeth.
  3. Bacteria reach inner tooth structure: Past the enamel, bacteria reach softer tooth structures less resistant to damage. By the time bacteria has reached the innermost tooth pulp, you may be experiencing pain and need treatment.

We provide excellent education for parents and kids so you can be sure your child is brushing their teeth and flossing at home correctly to prevent cavities. It's also important to consult with our dentists and have your child attend regular cleanings and exams. We perform cleanings that eliminate stubborn plaque and tartar that can't be removed at home. If cavities are beginning to form, we also provide innovative treatments that will help prevent their progression.

Does My Child Have a Cavity?

When your child comes in for regular checkups, we'll thoroughly examine their entire mouth. We check their teeth, gums, tongue, bite alignment, and jaw. Sometimes cavities are obvious and easily caught with a visual check, appearing as small white spots on the teeth. More often, they develop through very small pockets in the enamel, making them hard to spot.

We use x-rays to get a picture of the inner structure of your tooth so we can make sure there isn't unseen decay that could lead to or already has caused a cavity to form. When we catch a cavity that's forming, we'll assess the stage of decay in the tooth and apply different treatments depending upon the situation.

Our Cavity Prevention Options

We offer innovative treatments that can arrest cavity formation when we notice developing decay. These treatments are generally only effective in the early stages, so we always recommend attending your regular checkups to ensure cavities aren't given time to progress into serious concerns. Some of the treatments we offer include:

Silver Diamide Varnish: Treating small cavities in early development with silver diamide varnish is a fairly new treatment procedure with great promise. Especially effective for back teeth on chewing surfaces and between teeth, silver diamide can help to slow and stop cavity growth by killing bacteria. We're excited to offer this treatment option to avoid more invasive cavity removal that we may have to perform in the future.


Interventions For Kids After Braces: We generally screen your child's smile for cavities more frequently when they have braces. Even with careful oral hygiene at home, properly cleaning teeth can become much harder with brackets and wires in the way. If we notice any developing concerns once they've finished wearing braces, we can perform a process that uses a gentle abrasive on the enamel to get rid of the areas of concern, then strengthen and re-calcify the tooth with fluoride varnish or MI paste.

If we discover cavities we cannot treat with these preventive measures, we provide more advanced interventions to remove cavities and protect the tooth afterward. Our dentists will consult with you about the best options for your child when you visit.

Preventing & Treating Kids Cavities in Fort Lauderdale

At Smiley Kidz Dental, we have the skill and experience to identify and treat cavities early on. With our services and effective education, we can help kids avoid the many negative issues associated with cavities. We genuinely care about your child's smile and look forward to helping them create a healthy foundation. Contact us today to discover how our services promote your kid's optimal oral health!

CALL US: (954) 564-5540 REQUEST APPOINTMENT

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