As you have watched your little grow so far, you’ve realized their childhood won’t last forever. The days can feel slow, but the years pass by quickly. Before you know it, your kiddo won’t be one anymore.
When it comes to their dental health, it’s beneficial to keep certain expiration dates in mind so that their smile doesn’t skip a beat and stays healthy, strong, and beautiful. For instance, how long do dental fillings last for kids? Knowing more about these restorations can help you know what you should be doing to prepare your child for taking care of their own smiles as adults.
What Are Dental Fillings?
Fillings are the most minor restoration available in dentistry to kids or adults. They compensate for small cavities that have started to penetrate the enamel but haven’t reached the tooth’s pulp or nerve center. These tiny areas of decay don’t require an entire crown to cover the damage—just a little repair.
Traditionally, fillings consisted of a durable material called amalgam, an alloy of silver, tin, and mercury metals. In addition to the health risks posed by the mercury, amalgam fillings don’t bond well to tooth enamel, so extra structure must be removed to ensure a secure connection.
Nowadays, fillings are made of composite resin, a mixture of fine ceramic particles and dental plastic. Vastly superior to amalgam, the composite resin is biocompatible, which means it interacts easily and well with enamel. As a result, more of the tooth structure can remain intact. As an extra bonus, resin fillings are colored to match your child’s tooth coloration and blend in inconspicuously with the rest of their smile.
How Long Do Dental Fillings Typically Last?
Composite resin fillings, like many other restorations, come with a general lifespan. They usually last about 5 to 10 years before they need to be removed and replaced with a new filling. This timeframe may be shorter if the filling is on a baby tooth, which usually falls out naturally before your child reaches age 12.
Of course, other factors play a role in how long your child’s filling will still look and function well. For instance, if your child doesn’t care for their filling or natural teeth the way they need to, the filling could fail prematurely or require upgrading to a dental crown.
How Can You Help Your Child’s Fillings Last as Long as Possible?
Although the idea of having to maintain your child’s restoration may seem to add to your responsibilities, know that caring for filling sis exactly the same tasks as caring for the rest of their teeth. Daily brushing and flossing along with regular visits with their pediatric dentist for checkups and cleanings are generally enough to keep fillings in workable condition for quite a while. For additional protection, have your child wear a mouthguard when they play sports or do an activity that could involve a facial injury.
You can’t stop time from passing as your child grows, but if you teach your child to take care of their teeth and dental restorations, you can equip them with the skills they need for a lifetime of healthy smiles!
About the Practice
At Wash Park Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Patrick Bowman and Dr. Kathleen Waguespack are both experienced, board-certified pediatric dentists. As parents, they understand firsthand the struggles parents can face in trying to teach their kids healthy habits and love to do their part in educating and treating kids when cavities do come up. If your child has a small cavity that needs to be resolved, reach out to our practice online or call our Denver office at 720-647-6310 to schedule an appointment.