If you've recently found out that your toddler has cavities, you may be wondering how this happened in the first place. Many people don't realize that it's possible for young children to get cavities on their baby teeth. Although they're baby teeth and they'll eventually fall out, it's still important to have those teeth treated at the dental office. A children's dental care specialist may provide the services that will restore your toddler's teeth and keep them protected.

How Does the Decay Happen?

Because your toddler is still young, you may be the one who brushes his or her teeth both day and night, so you're probably wondering how these cavities even developed. Even if you're brushing your toddler's teeth well, there are numerous things that can cause decay. For example, many people associate milk with being good for the teeth. However, if your toddler often sleeps with milk in his or her mouth, the sugars from the milk can contribute to decay. Different fruits contain natural sugars that can also cause this problem to occur. Some people are even more likely to end up with cavities than others because of their genetics.

What Types of Treatments Are Offered to Toddlers?

The treatment options for toddlers with cavities are simple. If the cavities aren't too big, the children's dental care specialist could clean the teeth, remove the decay, and seal the hole in the tooth with a filling. Most dentists use fillings that are made to match the natural tooth color. If you didn't notice the cavities for some time, and now they're a bit too big for a filling to work, your toddler may need to get dental crowns.

The dental crown process for toddlers is a bit easier than the process for adults. The dentist removes the decay, shaves down part of the tooth, and then carefully cements a crown on top of the natural tooth. If the teeth are in the front of the mouth, the dentist may offer tooth-colored crowns. Silver crowns are often used for the back teeth because of their durability and strength.

If you've just found out your toddler has some cavities, you're probably feeling frustrated. Even if you're doing a great job of brushing your child's teeth, cavities can happen, so it's not something you should get too upset over. Instead, bring your child to see a children's dental care specialist to find out if your little one needs fillings or crowns. The dentist will take the necessary steps to care for your toddler's teeth and keep them healthy.