Poor diet and hygiene can cause tooth decay in children. Dentists who offer tooth decay treatment South Weymouth MA, can help prevent or combat this common childhood condition with the following procedures.

Varnish

A dentist can apply a fluoride varnish to a child’s teeth using a brush. The varnish, which has a pleasant flavor and aroma, takes only a few minutes to dry. It strengthens tooth enamel to prevent or slow the progression of decay.

Sealants

A dentist can brush sealants onto the surfaces of a child’s teeth to protect them from decay. Sealant treatment involves an application of liquid resin to teeth surfaces. The liquid easily coats the surfaces of all teeth, including the pits and grooves of rear teeth. It creates a barrier to keep plaque and corrosive acid due to sugary food consumption away from the teeth.

Fillings

Decay can lead to holes or cavities in the tooth enamel that can grow larger and compromise the underlying pulp. Dentists can treat cavities by enlarging the hole and removing all traces of decay, and filling them with a composite resin that creates a permanent seal to keep out bacteria.

Pulpotomy

This procedure can effectively treat decay that reaches beyond the tooth’s surface layers. It involves drilling into the tooth to remove a portion of its pulp. The dentist fills the space with a medicated material before adding a permanent filling to seal it.

Extraction

A dentist will remove a child’s tooth to combat decay untreatable with less aggressive measures. Decay can spread quickly, and extraction can help prevent compromising adjacent teeth. Extraction is a last resort because it can lead to teeth shifting that may require additional treatments.

Preventative care is not always enough to prevent childhood tooth decay. Fortunately, dentists can apply various treatments to keep decay from becoming widespread and compromising their young patients’ oral health.