How to Fill Cavities in Anxious Children

Children's teeth are not immune to developing cavities. However, untreated tooth decay can have severe consequences for your child's oral and overall health. Children with untreated cavities may experience painful discomfort, gum disease, infection, inability to eat properly, even tooth loss. But, what if your child is anxious about visiting the dentist to have a cavity filled?

At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA, board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Jeni Kong has extensive experience helping children feel more at ease and comfortable during their dental appointments. Our primary goal is to make sure your child grows up with a healthy smile by providing the extra compassion and attention they deserve when visiting our dental practice. Read on to learn more if your child struggles with dental anxiety and how the caring team at Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry can help.

What can I expect if my child has a cavity?

It is normal for a parent to feel nervous if they are told their child has a cavity. Parents can worry that a tooth filling may be painful or a traumatic experience for their child. However, delaying or avoiding treatment will only hurt your child's oral health. Even baby teeth play an essential role in the function and development of permanent teeth and should be treated if signs of tooth decay have developed. At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we take special care in making sure receiving a tooth filling is an easy process for our patients. Once the treatment area is numbed, Dr. Kong will carefully remove the tooth decay with a unique dental tool. After the cavity is removed, Dr. Kong will disinfect and fill the tooth. She will then polish and smooth out the surface, making sure your child's bite feels comfortable.

Does your child have anxiety about going to the dentist?

Lawrenceville, GA children who have dental anxiety may feel overwhelmed when visiting the dentist. However, putting off your child's dental care puts them at a higher risk of developing more tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, and other dental health concerns. Maintaining your child's oral hygiene keeps their overall health in check while maintaining a beautiful smile. At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Kong and her caring team provide different anxiety-relieving methods so your child will feel comfortable and more at ease when visiting our office.

Can children have dental sedation?

At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we provide different dental sedation methods to help our patients cope. Dr. Kong and her caring team can give laughing gas (nitrous oxide) to alleviate mild to moderate cases of anxiety and nervousness. A mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide is administered through a small mask that fits over your child's nose while they breathe normally. It works within minutes and wears off as soon as the mask is removed. Your child will be able to hear and respond to any directions or requests our team may have while feeling more at ease and comfortable throughout the entire procedure. We offer oral sedation for children who feel incredibly anxious during a dental cleaning or exam and more extensive procedures. Sedative medicine will be given in a drink about an hour before the procedure to help a patient feel sleepy or calmer. In rare cases, our team can provide general anesthesia when necessary.

Does your child have a cavity?

Untreated tooth decay can develop into more significant oral health concerns for your child. At Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry, we provide safe and effective dental sedation options to relax your child and put them at ease when treating cavities, or during routine dental treatments. To learn more, or schedule an appointment with board-certified pediatric dentist Dr. Jeni Kong, contact Apple Tree Pediatric Dentistry in Lawrenceville, GA.