How to treat cavities in 3-year-old children?

Written by Huang Kun Mei
Pediatrics
Updated on May 12, 2025
00:00
00:00

If a three-year-old child has cavities, it is necessary to go to the pediatric dentistry department promptly for cavity removal treatment. Depending on the severity of the child's cavities, if it is severe, the child may need to have teeth extracted. If it is mild, the child will need to have fillings. It is important to pay attention to the dental care of the child. Make sure the child brushes their teeth morning and evening, rinses their mouth after meals, avoids drinking carbonated beverages, eats fresh vegetables and fruits, and drinks formula milk to enhance nutrition.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
51sec home-news-image

What will happen if you insist on not getting a root canal for a cavity?

When a patient has dental caries, if they insist on not undergoing root canal treatment, it may lead to the exacerbation of tooth decay, damage to the tooth root or gum tissue, and long-term stimulation can cause the gums to shrink, and even lead to tooth loosening and loss. Therefore, it is recommended that if a patient has dental caries, the best method is to perform some filling restorative treatments. If the decay reaches the nerve of the teeth, it can cause symptoms of nighttime pain, or biting pain, so it is advised that the patient should undergo root canal treatment. Once tooth decay occurs, if it cannot be treated with self-repair, it is not possible to completely heal itself, and this will lead to further development.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
43sec home-news-image

Can cavities be brushed with an electric toothbrush?

Cavities can be cleaned using an electric toothbrush. However, if the cavity is severe, the vibrations from the electric toothbrush may cause pain. It is necessary to fill or treat teeth with cavities as soon as possible. Only after treatment can the progression of the cavity be controlled; merely brushing with an electric toothbrush cannot control the development of the cavity. Cavities are a destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. Control over cavities can only be achieved by removing decay and using a drill to remove the infected cavity tissue; an electric toothbrush cannot control the development of cavities.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
54sec home-news-image

The concept of dental caries

Cavities, also known as dental caries or tooth decay, are caused by bacterial infection that damages the hard tissues of the teeth. Once cavities occur, it is essential to intervene with dental treatment as soon as possible. Strictly speaking, cavities represent a bacterial infection caused by the failure to remove food residues timely after eating. Bacteria break down glucose, producing lactic acid, which causes demineralization of the teeth. Once cavities occur, it is crucial to undergo dental filling treatment promptly, commonly referred to as dental restoration. If the progression of decay is not promptly halted, it can lead to further complications over time, including pulpitis which causes toothache or night pain, pain during sleep intense enough to wake one from sleep, and in severe cases, facial swelling.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
1min 6sec home-news-image

How to treat cavities in the early stage?

Cavities, also known as dental caries, are a chronic, progressive, destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. Based on clinical manifestations, cavities can be classified into incipient, moderate, and deep caries. Incipient caries are limited to the enamel layer and might present as demineralization of the teeth, a condition that can be treated with tooth remineralization. If the cavity reaches the dentin layer, clinically it is characterized by pain while eating or sensitivity to cold, heat, or sweet and sour stimuli, and this condition requires the removal of the decayed dental tissue followed by filling treatment. Early treatment of cavities usually does not involve noticeable pain; however, if not treated promptly, the decay can further progress and potentially lead to nerve infection of the tooth, causing severe pain.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
48sec home-news-image

If cavities that do not have holes are not filled, how will they develop?

In such cases, it is recommended that patients seek timely treatment at a dental clinic. Generally, the treatment might involve cleaning the area around the cavity. If the cavity is deep but not painful, a temporary filling with zinc oxide eugenol may be used. If there is no pain after about a week, a permanent filling can be placed, and root canal therapy may not be necessary. Specifically, it is best to go to the hospital for an X-ray to examine the condition properly. If there is food impaction in the teeth, it might indicate the presence of cavities. It is advisable for the patient to undergo some examinations to fill these cavities. Considering the sensitivity of the teeth, active treatment should be pursued.