Dental Knowledge
How should a 6-year-old child with tooth decay be treated?
Due to a lack of oral care awareness and an improper diet, the incidence of tooth decay in children is very high, causing a lot of stress for parents. For children aged 6-7, this is the age when the permanent molars start to erupt, but if not properly cared for, they are susceptible to decay. So how should a 6-year-old child with tooth decay be treated? Let’s find out!
What are molars?
Molars are usually the teeth numbered 6 and 7 in the upper jaw. For children between the ages of 6-7, this is the stage when the permanent first molars erupt. They are larger in size compared to other teeth. Unlike baby teeth, molars only erupt once and do not have a replacement. Because of this, molars are highly prone to decay if not well protected.
Molars serve a very important function, as implied by their name. If they are not necessary, they should never be extracted. However, in severe cases, extraction may be necessary. In such cases, it is important to restore the missing molars as soon as possible to avoid future consequences, as molars have the following functions:
- They are deep within the jaw and are responsible for heavy chewing forces, playing a role in grinding and breaking down food. To facilitate the process of chewing and digestion, molars are essential.
- Molars have close connections with the nervous system. Therefore, if they are extracted without proper consideration, it can affect other parts of the mouth, leading to a reduction in chewing function, aesthetics, and, in the long run, it can cause significant oral health issues.
Factors that contribute to a 6-year-old child with tooth decay.
Many parents make the mistake of thinking that molars can be replaced like baby teeth. They may also believe that molars, being larger, multi-rooted, and strong, are less prone to decay.
These misconceptions have led parents to not support their children in understanding the importance of molars and how to protect them, resulting in decayed molars in 6-year-old children. In reality, there are several factors that contribute to decayed molars:
Children often enjoy eating, consuming excessive amounts of sugary foods and drinks, such as carbonated beverages. However, they may lack the habit of daily oral care. Over time, this creates favorable conditions for bacteria to invade.
Molars grow in a deep position within the jaw, making them prone to decay. It is difficult to clean and observe them. By the time symptoms such as pain and sensitivity arise, the decay may have already progressed significantly.
In addition, there are other cases where decay occurs. Dental decay is a pathological condition, and besides external factors mentioned above, internal factors such as weak tooth enamel due to genetics or preterm birth can contribute to insufficient nutrient intake, leading to weakened enamel and increased risk of decay.
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The consequences of 6-year-old children having decayed molars.
Because molars only erupt once, if 6-year-old children have severe decayed molars that cannot be treated and need to be extracted, it can lead to serious consequences:
Reduced chewing function and impact on the digestive system
Teeth play a crucial role in chewing and grinding food. For molars, their main function is to chew, bite, and grind food. When molars are decayed, it can cause pain and discomfort, making it difficult for children to chew and grind food properly. This can result in large food particles entering the stomach, putting pressure on the stomach and causing digestive issues that greatly impact the child’s health.
Misalignment and malocclusion
If one molar is lost, the remaining molar on the opposite side has to bear more chewing pressure, increasing the risk of tooth wear and leading to jaw misalignment and malocclusion.
Deterioration of jawbone and premature aging
When a molar is lost, the chewing function is lost at that specific location, which means there is no stimulation or friction on the jawbone. If this continues, the jawbone will not develop properly, resulting in jawbone deterioration and gum recession. This lack of support for the facial muscles can lead to a sunken appearance and premature aging.
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How should a 6-year-old child with decayed molars be treated?
For a 6-year-old child with mild decayed molars
Encourage a healthy diet for your child:
- Provide your child with foods that are good for their teeth, such as nutrient-rich and calcium-rich foods. Choose soft foods that are not too hard or too chewy to avoid impacting their oral health.
- Limit foods that contain sugar. Teeth-friendly foods are less likely to create acid that can damage tooth enamel.
- Also, pay attention to your child’s eating habits. Children often have a habit of keeping food or drinks in their mouth for a long time. This increases the risk of acid formation and tooth damage, leading to tooth decay.
Maintain good oral hygiene:
- Teach your child proper oral hygiene habits. Use a soft toothbrush suitable for children, avoiding brushes that are too big.
- Use fluoride toothpaste to enhance tooth protection. You can also use specialized mouthwashes.
- Teach your child to brush their teeth in an up-and-down motion and develop a habit of brushing their teeth twice a day.
- Encourage your child to use dental floss or water flossers to remove food particles stuck between their teeth.
Regularly schedule dental check-ups for your child:
- Regular dental check-ups (every 6-12 months) will help prevent tooth decay. If you suspect your child has tooth decay, take them to the dentist as soon as possible to treat the condition and prevent further complications.
- In severe cases where regular oral hygiene measures are not effective, the dentist may need to remove the decayed tooth.
For a 6-year-old child with severe decayed molars
Case of a 6-year-old child with severe decayed teeth that have not reached the pulp:
In this case, the dental filling method can be applied. Before filling the tooth, the dentist will conduct a general examination, remove the decayed substances, and thoroughly clean the tooth.
Then, dental cement and specialized dental filling tools will be used to proceed with the filling. This method is relatively effective and safe for children with decayed teeth that have not reached the pulp.
After the filling is done, if well cared for and maintained, the lifespan of the filling can be quite high. Parents should take note of this.
Case of a 6-year-old child with severe decayed molars reaching the pulp:
When the decay has reached the pulp, causing serious damage to the pulp, such as pulpitis, it is necessary to extract the affected tooth to prevent further complications that may affect neighboring teeth. After extraction, it is necessary to consider restorative measures to prevent bone resorption and other consequences mentioned above.
In the case of restoring the extracted tooth, especially for 6-year-old children with severe decayed molars, the use of dental implants is recommended. This is because dental implants are a safe and optimal method with the highest longevity among current options for tooth restoration.
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It is the most modern method of tooth replacement currently and provides the best results. In the case of missing tooth number 6, dental implant should be considered as it ensures the highest level of stability and safety among different types of dental prosthetics.
The structure of a dental implant consists of three main parts:
The Titanium post, the Abutment connector, and the ceramic tooth crown on top. The implant post is directly inserted into the jawbone by dentists. Its main function is to replace the root of the missing tooth.
It also provides a stable support for the ceramic crown attached on top, allowing the patient to chew with confidence, similar to natural teeth, without worrying about loose teeth.
Dental implants are designed to resemble our natural teeth in terms of color and shape.
Advantages of dental implant method:
- Prevents jawbone resorption and facial aging.
- High aesthetic quality, the implanted tooth has a natural color.
- Applicable for all cases of missing teeth.
- Does not require grinding of adjacent teeth, minimizing the risk of losing additional teeth.
- Prevents misalignment of surrounding teeth due to the gap from the missing tooth.
- Minimizes dental and oral diseases, does not cause bad breath.
- Provides strong durability and near-natural chewing ability. Allows comfortable eating, including soft and hard food.
- Long average lifespan of the tooth. Lasts for over 20 years, even almost permanently with proper care. No need to spend additional time and money to redo the tooth.
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Methods to address tooth impaction due to cavities. Procedures such as extraction or restoration of impacted teeth require high precision and meticulousness. Therefore, parents should research and choose a reputable dental facility. This ensures accuracy and safety for children.
BeDental Aesthetic Dentistry was established in 2012. After a period of operation, the center quickly became a trusted dental service provider for customers and one of the leading dental clinics in the field of aesthetic dentistry.
With a team of experienced doctors and specialists, advanced equipment, and modern technology, BeDental has taken firm steps towards becoming a leading aesthetic dental center in Vietnam.
BeDental’s mission is “Spreading smiles, spreading success.” We believe that everyone deserves to have a confident and charming smile. That is why we always strive to remove obstacles that hinder your bright and beautiful smile.
Above all, we believe that strong and healthy teeth are the foundation of a happy life, and a smile is the key to success.
BeDental continues to strive to be a pioneering enterprise in the field of aesthetic dentistry, especially in dental restoration with a focus on developing advanced technology and keeping up with modern trends and techniques.
With a team of top aesthetic dentists in Vietnam, BeDental always provides dedicated and wholehearted service to customers as if they were our own family. BeDental is a reputable and professional aesthetic dental system with multiple branches in major cities, making it convenient for customers to access.
In addition, we have modern equipment imported from foreign countries, certified as safe by the Ministry of Health. Our facilities are of a 5-star standard, providing customers with a relaxed and worry-free environment during their service experience.
The above was a summary and sharing of the issue of tooth impaction in 6-year-old children and ways to address this condition. This is a very important issue, so parents should have a different perspective on it. Protecting oral health to prevent any negative impact on children is crucial. Thank you for following along!
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