Baby Teeth Rotting? What to Do
Severe cavities in kids can happen fast, especially in toddlers. Signs to watch for:
- White, brown, or black spots on the teeth
- Teeth that look like they're breaking or wearing away
- Your child avoiding food, chewing on one side, or waking up with tooth pain
- Swelling in the gums or face
It's easy to think baby teeth don't matter because they'll fall out anyway. But your child needs them to eat, speak, and smile, and they hold space for the adult teeth coming in. Decay in baby teeth can cause pain and infection, and it can spread to other teeth.
If your child's baby teeth are rotting, what to do is simple: don't wait. Cavities don't heal on their own, and the longer they go, the more teeth they reach and the bigger the treatment gets. Talk to your child's dentist, or text us and we'll help you take the next step.
What Full Mouth Rehabilitation Means
Full mouth rehabilitation is all the treatment your child needs, done in one visit while they're asleep. That can include:
- Fillings to repair cavities
- Crowns to cover and protect teeth with bigger damage
- Removing teeth that can't be saved
Instead of many hard visits in the dental chair, your child goes to sleep once and wakes up with the work done. That means less fear for your child and less time off school and work for your family.
Being put to sleep has risks as well as these benefits.
Keeping Tooth Decay From Coming Back
Treatment fixes the damage. Everyday habits keep it from coming back:
- No bedtime bottles of milk, formula, or juice. If your child needs a bottle to fall asleep, use water only.
- Cut back on sugary drinks like juice, soda, and sports drinks. Water and milk at mealtimes are best.
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste: a smear the size of a grain of rice for children under 3, and a pea-sized amount from age 3. Help your child brush until they can do it well on their own.
- Keep up with checkups at your child's regular dentist so new cavities are caught early.
Common Questions
What is full mouth rehabilitation?
It's all the treatment your child needs, done in one visit while they're asleep. That can include fillings, crowns, and removing teeth that can't be saved.
How do I keep tooth decay from coming back?
No bedtime bottles except water, fewer sugary drinks, brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, and regular checkups at your child's dentist.
Does my child need a referral from their dentist?
Yes. Children ages 2 to 12 need a referral from their dentist, and we'll help you get it.For more details, see:Pediatric Dentistry →
Does my child need to be put to sleep?
When more than six teeth need work, or when high anxiety makes it hard or unsafe for your child to sit through treatment.For more details, see:Pediatric Dentistry →
Is general anesthesia safe for children?
Our anesthesia team watches your child's breathing, heart rate and oxygen from start to finish and stays with them until they wake up.For more details, see:Is General Anesthesia Safe for Children's Dental Work?
How do I prepare my child for dental surgery?
Follow the 8-hour rule for eating and drinking. Give your child a good meal the evening before, and keep snacks and drinks out of sight on the morning of surgery.For more details, see:How to Prepare Your Child for Dental Surgery
