Dental fillings in children’s teeth are a simple dental procedure. Adults often go back to their normal lives right after treatment. But kids may need a little more time to feel like themselves again. You need to take better care of them, especially if this is their first time getting a filling. Here are the four best ways for kids to take care of their teeth after getting a filling.
1. Listening To What The Child Thinks And Feels
Before the filling, the dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around the tooth. This will last at least one to three hours after the child gets dental fillings. The parent should check in with the child frequently to see if the numbness is gone and assure that the child is not biting the area that is numb (such as the lips or cheeks). Once the area is no longer numb , the child should be able to eat normally.
After the treatment, the child might feel some discomfort. The dentist may suggest the right pain medicine based on the child’s health and medical history. Over the counter pain relievers can also help. By asking the child where the pain is coming from, you can determine if it is coming from the tooth that was treated. The pain from the filled tooth will go away in about one to two weeks.
The child might also say that the bite is different. It’s normal to feel this way for the first few days.
2. Bruxism
Bruxism can wear down the parts of teeth that are used to chew. Kids’ fillings could break or chip if they were constantly pressed on.
3. Taking Care Of Your Child’s Teeth Every Day
Fillings are needed to keep cavities from getting worse. It’s important to clean the child’s teeth every day. If you brush and floss your teeth correctly, bacteria and plaque won’t stick to your teeth. The filling will stay in place longer if you help the child brush gently after the appointment. At least twice a day, you should brush your teeth for two minutes and floss before bed. How long fillings for kids’ teeth last will depend on how well the child takes care of their teeth.
Most kids don’t know how to brush properly. Parents must keep an eye on or help their kids, especially when brushing their back teeth. The filling material can stay in place if you brush your teeth gently. No one should be encouraged to brush hard.
4. Changing What The Child Eats
It’s important to pay attention to what the family eats and drinks. This can help keep cavities from getting worse. Some of the worst things you can do to get cavities is to drink sugary drinks and eat sticky candies. It may be hard to avoid or limit these as much as possible, but it is important to do so. Plaque and bacteria can build up on teeth if the child doesn’t rinse or brush after eating treats.
It is important to eat soft foods after the anesthetic wears off. This will keep the child from using the tooth right after it has been fixed. It will also keep you from biting down too hard on the treated tooth. You could eat healthy soft foods like yogurt, soup, smoothies, oatmeal, and applesauce.
Don’t buy drinks that stain, are high in sugar, or are acidic. It should be a habit to rinse your mouth after drinking some of these drinks. Keeping the fillings in place can be helped by staying away from chewy and sticky foods. Serving foods at room temperature can help keep teeth from becoming sensitive. What a child can eat in the weeks after getting a filling may depend on what material was used. Solid food couldn’t be eaten until a day after the treatment.
Conclusion
Your child’s new fillings will only last as long as they are properly cared for. You might want to give your child solid food right after the treatment, but you should wait until the next day. Soft foods that are at room temperature are great for new fillings. Fillings for kids can last longer if they go to the dentist for regular checkups.
If you use fluoride toothpaste to brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once daily, your teeth and fillings will stay strong and healthy. Tooth damage and decay can also be stopped by eating a well-balanced diet and limiting the number of sugary foods and drinks you eat and drink.
When your baby gets teeth, clean them regularly with plain water and a soft children’s toothbrush. You should brush your baby’s teeth twice daily, especially before bed. If your child is younger than 2 years old, ask their doctor or dentist when they should start using fluoride toothpaste.
You should not eat anything hard, chewy, or sticky for at least two to three weeks. You should also avoid hot and cold food and drinks if you are sensitive. Keep brushing and flossing your teeth, but try eating softer foods like boiled potatoes, vegetables, soup, eggs, and oatmeal.
