Children's dentistry
Do cavities in baby teeth need treating?
Yes. Decay in baby teeth doesn't fix itself — it spreads and can reach the nerve, causing pain and infection. Losing a baby tooth too early can crowd the adult teeth coming through.
Why 'they'll fall out anyway' isn't the whole story
It's an understandable thought — if the tooth is going to come out on its own, why treat a hole in it? The trouble is that decay doesn't sit still and wait politely. It spreads, and it can work its way down to the nerve, bringing toothache, infection and abscesses that no child should have to go through. Some back baby teeth aren't lost until around ten to twelve, so an untreated cavity has years to cause misery.
There's a spacing job going on too. Baby teeth hold the gaps that guide the adult teeth into their proper places. Lose one too early to decay and the neighbours can drift in, leaving the incoming adult tooth short of room and crowded.
The earlier we look, the gentler the fix
Caught early, a small cavity often needs only a small, straightforward filling — the sort of thing that's quick and calm for a child. Left to grow, the same tooth can end up needing far more, so a dark spot, a chalky patch or a complaint of sensitivity is always worth a look rather than a wait-and-see.
This is the whole spirit of how we work: spot trouble early, do the least the tooth needs, and keep as much of it as we can. If you've noticed anything on your child's teeth, book them in and we'll take a gentle look together.
Common questions
My child's cavity doesn't seem to hurt — can I leave it?
It's safer not to. Decay often causes no pain until it reaches the nerve, by which point treatment is bigger. Having it checked early usually means a smaller, gentler fix.
How do I spot a cavity in a baby tooth?
Look for a chalky white patch, a brown or dark spot, or a small hole, and listen for complaints of sensitivity to sweet or cold. If anything looks off, bring your child in for a proper look.