Should a baby's decayed front teeth be filled?

Written by Tong Peng

Pediatrics

Updated on April 06, 2025

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Children's front teeth cavities require filling treatment, because if the front teeth are extensively damaged, it not only affects eating and appearance but also impacts the child's psychological development. Therefore, if a child's tooth color is abnormal, it is advisable to visit a hospital for fluoride treatment as soon as possible, which is beneficial for mineralization on the tooth surface.

However, if cavities have developed in the front teeth, filling treatment is needed, otherwise it will progressively worsen, affecting the child's normal eating habits. Generally, children under three years of age have poor cooperation and cannot undergo routine outpatient treatment, so it is crucial to strengthen oral hygiene care in daily life.

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Written by Wang Ji Zhong

Internal Medicine

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How to Prevent and Care for Dental Caries

Cavities have a high incidence rate, especially during childhood. If oral care is neglected, dental decay can occur, thus the prevention of cavities is very important. The main cause of cavities is dental plaque, which necessitates good oral hygiene. It is essential to develop the habit of brushing teeth daily with the correct technique. It is important to start teaching children to brush their teeth after they turn three, striving to brush once in the morning and once at night, rinse after meals, and particularly brush before bedtime. It is also advisable to reduce the consumption of sugary foods. Currently, the best prevention method is to apply a dental sealant, which is a protective coating on the teeth to shield them from bacterial erosion. If decay occurs, it is crucial to seek immediate treatment at a hospital to repair the damaged dental tissue and restore health.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

59sec

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Do cavities have worms in them?

Cavities do not contain worms; they are caused by bacterial infections and are a type of infectious disease. Cavities are also known as dental caries, and many people mistakenly believe they are caused by worms chewing on the teeth, but this is not the case. Cavities occur when bacterial infections attack the hard tissues of the teeth, leading to destructive dental diseases. It is also a chronic infectious disease. Cavities are caused by bacterial factors, meaning bacteria are the initial factor in their development. Bacteria can use glucose to produce lactic acid, causing demineralization of the teeth and thus forming cavities. If one brushes their teeth and rinses their mouth immediately after eating to control dental plaque, the development of cavities can be controlled or slowed. If not controlled in time, cavities may further lead to pulpitis.

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Written by Fang Xiao

Dentistry

1min 2sec

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Does tooth decay easily cause bad breath?

Cavities can easily cause bad breath. If there are cavities, food will remain in the holes of the cavities, get stuck, and ultimately compress the gums, and it will be difficult to clean. Foods are prone to ferment and produce acids causing bad odors, and the gums can also become inflamed, and even suppurate, which also produces bad smells. Therefore, if you have cavities, you should go to a regular hospital's dental department and receive targeted treatment under the guidance of a dentist. It is essential to develop good oral hygiene habits, brush your teeth in the morning and evening using the internationally recognized Bass brushing technique, rinse your mouth after meals, learn to use dental floss to remove food residues in tooth gaps, and treat cavities promptly to prevent them from deepening and causing more severe consequences.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

1min 5sec

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Cavities that do not hurt still require root canal treatment.

Cavities that do not hurt may or may not require root canal treatment, depending on the extent of the decay. If the cavity has not reached the dental nerves, there will not be noticeable pain. In such cases, since the decay is relatively superficial, direct filling, or dental restoration can be performed without the need for root canal treatment. If the cavity is severe and has reached the dental nerves, causing the nerves to become necrotic and purulent, there will be no pain due to the loss of sensory function from nerve death. In these situations, root canal treatment is needed. This involves removing the infected dental nerves, followed by medicinal treatment of the root canal, and after the inflammation is controlled, filling of the root canal is performed. In other words, a painless cavity might actually be caused by necrosis and pus formation in the dental nerves, requiring root canal treatment.

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Written by Li Bao Hua

Dentistry

1min 2sec

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What will happen if tooth decay is not treated?

If dental caries are not treated, they may further infect and cause inflammation of the dental nerves, leading to pulpitis or apical periodontitis, causing severe pain. When apical periodontitis occurs, it may sometimes lead to a space infection, which is facial swelling. If the inflammation is not controlled in time, it may also cause osteomyelitis of the jawbone. Therefore, dental caries need to be treated as early as possible. Dental caries are caused by bacterial infections that lead to the decay of the hard tissues of the teeth; in the early stages of decay, using a drill to stop the development of the disease—namely, timely filling—can effectively control the further progression of dental caries. If dental caries further infect and cause inflammation of the dental nerves, it can lead to pain while eating or sleeping, sometimes waking from sleep due to pain, and in severe cases, it can cause facial swelling.