What should I do if my 4-year-old child has cavities?

It is not uncommon for children to have cavities. Because children do not pay much attention to oral care and brushing, they are easily faced with tooth decay problems. At this time, parents should fulfill their responsibilities, urge their children to pay attention to oral health and hygiene, and adopt reasonable treatment methods.

1. Drug treatment. Drug treatment is a method of using drugs to inhibit the development of caries on the basis of grinding away caries. It is suitable for shallow caries in permanent teeth that have not yet formed cavities, and shallow and medium caries cavities in deciduous front teeth. Commonly used drugs include silver nitrate and sodium fluoride.

2. Silver-mercury alloy filling is the most widely used and effective method for teeth that have already formed substantial defects. The basic process can be divided into two steps: first, remove the carious tissue and the weak tooth tissue that has lost its support, and then make the cavity into a reasonable shape according to certain requirements. Then it is filled with filling materials to restore its inherent shape and function. Suitable for filling cavities in back teeth and hidden areas of front teeth.

3. Composite resin filling is suitable for filling the cavities of front teeth and back teeth that are not subjected to chewing forces.

4. Acid etching photosensitive composite resin filling technique has the same indications as composite resin filling technique, and is also suitable for cases with many tooth defects, poor retention, and covering discolored teeth.

5. Inlay: A restoration made of metal or other materials that fits the tooth cavity and is embedded in the cavity is called an inlay; the one that covers the occlusal surface is called a cap inlay. Applicable to: ① Those with larger cavities on the posterior occlusal surface or those with possible posterior teeth fracture; ② Those whose occlusal cavity fillings cannot restore the adjacent relationship with adjacent teeth; ③ As a semi-fixed bridge abutment.