Molar tooth decay is the most prevalent type of child dental decay, accounting for up to 80% of all childhood cavities. It’s also one of the most challenging types of tooth decay to treat because it affects such an inaccessible location in a child’s mouth. Molar tooth decay usually appears as small pits or depressions between the chewing surfaces of the molars and can spread very quickly if left untreated. As a result, we tend to see cases of molar tooth decay more often in children than other age groups. Here are some tips on how you can help your patients with this type of cavity. Read on to discover more about molar tooth decay, its causes and prevention strategies.
How do you know if a child has molar tooth decay?
Tooth decay is indicated by the presence of cavities. It’s important to differentiate between superficial and deep cavities. Superficial cavities are on the dentin layer of a tooth, which is situated just below the enamel layer. Deep cavities have breached the enamel layer and have spread into the tooth’s root. Therefore, deeper cavities are more difficult to treat than superficial ones because the dentist must drill through the tooth’s root to treat them.
In the case of molar tooth decay, you should look out for the following signs:
Affected teeth will be visibly larger than unaffected teeth.
Tooth decay will cause the child’s teeth to be discolored — they might become darker or lighter in colour.
The child’s teeth will feel softer than normal.
In most cases, treatment requires removing the decayed part of the tooth and replacing it with a filling. Fillings are materials placed in teeth to repair damage caused by tooth decay. They are also called restorations.
Prevention strategies for molar tooth decay
Molar tooth decay is difficult to treat and almost always requires a visit to a dentist. As such, it is vital to employ preventive strategies that keep a child’s teeth healthy. Here are some tips on how you can prevent molar tooth decay:
- Keep children’s teeth clean.
- Limit the frequency of sugary snacks.
- Get children to brush their teeth twice daily.
- Get children to visit the dentist once every 6 months.
Oral care strategies for children with molar tooth decay
If a child has molar tooth decay, you should first ask the dentist what treatment options are available to manage the infection. Ideally, the dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and seal the area with a dental filling. A dental filling prevents the area from becoming reinfected and is a more cost-effective treatment than a root canal.
If the dentist recommends a root canal, you should ask them how long it will take to complete the procedure. A root canal requires a lot of patience, particularly on the child’s part. The child will likely experience extreme discomfort as the root canal progresses. A long root canal treatment could also mean a considerable waiting period until the child can visit the dentist again.
Dental repair for children with molar tooth decay
Molar tooth cavity is a very serious condition that can damage the jawbone if not treated promptly. Therefore, it is often necessary to perform a surgical extraction to remove the decayed tooth in its entirety. Here are some post-treatment tips to help you repair:
- Give the child pain medication to manage the discomfort.
- Get the child to rest in a reclining position with their head elevated.
- Encourage the child to eat soft foods until the gum injury heals.
- Make sure the child visits the dentist to receive stitches.
- Have the child return to the dentist a week later for suturing.
Concluding words
This is very common in children and, if left untreated, can cause significant damage to their teeth and jawbones. It’s important to understand the causes of this type of decay and how to prevent it from occurring in your patients. Fortunately, It is preventable with consistent oral hygiene practices and regular dental visits. If your child has molar cavity or decay, be sure to ask your dentist what treatment options are available. Don’t forget to follow up with your child’s dentist in 6 months for a thorough teeth cleaning.
