{"id":2774,"date":"2026-09-23T22:17:16","date_gmt":"2026-09-23T19:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/?p=2774"},"modified":"2026-09-23T22:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-23T19:55:09","slug":"cariile-la-dintii-de-lapte-trebuie-tratate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/children\/cavities-in-baby-teeth-must-be-treated\/","title":{"rendered":"Should cavities in baby teeth be treated, or can they be left alone?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2777 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_03_cariile_la_dintii_de_lapte.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1402\" height=\"1122\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_03_cariile_la_dintii_de_lapte.png 1402w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_03_cariile_la_dintii_de_lapte-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_03_cariile_la_dintii_de_lapte-1024x819.png 1024w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_03_cariile_la_dintii_de_lapte-768x615.png 768w, https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/copii_03_cariile_la_dintii_de_lapte-15x12.png 15w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1402px) 100vw, 1402px\" \/><br \/>\nYes, cavities in baby teeth should be evaluated and, in many cases, treated, even though these teeth will eventually be replaced by permanent teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The reason is simple: a baby tooth can remain in a child\u2019s mouth for several years. An untreated cavity can progress, cause pain, and reach the tooth\u2019s nerve or lead to an infection.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The necessary treatment depends on how advanced the tooth decay is and on the child's age.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why do we need to take care of our baby teeth if they're going to fall out anyway?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby teeth are not \u201eunimportant teeth.\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They help the child to:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chew;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">speak;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">maintain the necessary space for the permanent teeth;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">promote proper chewing;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may grow up pain-free until their teeth fall out.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some baby teeth remain in the mouth for a long time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If a cavity develops early on, simply saying, \u201eIt\u2019s going to fall out anyway,\u201d can mean that the child will have to live with a damaged tooth for years.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What happens if a cavity in a baby tooth isn't treated?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth decay can start as a small spot and progress deeper into the tooth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As they develop, the following may occur:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sensitivity;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain when eating sweet or cold foods;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain when chewing;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">spontaneous pain;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inflammation;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">infection;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">abscess.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A deep cavity can reach the pulp of the tooth\u2014that is, the inner area where the nerves and blood vessels are located.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this point, the treatment may become more complex than a simple filling.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Can tooth decay in a baby tooth affect the permanent tooth?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A serious infection around a baby tooth must be treated with care, especially because the developing permanent tooth is located nearby.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, if pain, swelling, or pus develop, it is not advisable to simply wait for the baby tooth to fall out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The child should be examined by a doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How can you tell if a child has a cavity?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some cavities are easy to spot, while others are not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parents may notice:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a white, brown, or black spot on a tooth;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a small hole;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">food that gets stuck between your teeth;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pain when eating sweets;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sensitivity to cold;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the child chews only on one side;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The child says that a tooth hurts;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Persistent bad breath.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, it's a good idea to have your teeth checked before you start feeling pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A small cavity is generally easier to treat than one that has already started causing symptoms.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How are cavities treated in children?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treatment depends on the stage of the lesion.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For a tooth that can be restored, the dentist can remove the affected tissue and place a filling, commonly known as a \u201cfilling.\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Very deep cavities may require additional treatments involving the dental pulp.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases where a tooth can no longer be saved or is nearing the normal time for replacement, extraction may be considered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dentist makes the decision after evaluating the tooth and the entire set of teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Is it worth getting a filling for a baby tooth?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If the tooth needs to remain in the mouth and can be treated, restoring it can prevent pain and stop the decay from progressing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can't base your decision solely on the child's age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It matters:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which tooth is affected;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how large the cavity is;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when it should fall naturally;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">if there is pain or an infection;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">how well the child can cooperate.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What should I do if my child is afraid of the dentist?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is no need for the first experience to begin directly with a difficult procedure, provided that the clinical situation allows it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An orientation session can help your child get to know the doctor and the office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At SmileCity, there is an introductory\/orientation session for children.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many children, it is easier to gradually build a relationship with their dentist than to visit the dentist for the first time in an emergency situation when they are in pain.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How can we prevent more cavities from forming?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prevention isn't just about \u201enot eating sweets.\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following are important:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regular brushing;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">age-appropriate toothpaste;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a parent supervising the child's toothbrushing;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">limiting frequent consumption of sweet snacks;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dental checkups;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">assessment of individual caries risk;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the preventive measures recommended by the dentist, including sealing certain tooth surfaces.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Where can we treat children's cavities in Sector 6?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SmileCity offers pediatric dentistry services for children, including consultations, initial evaluations, fillings, professional cleanings, sealants, and extractions of baby teeth.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The clinic is located at 158 Ghencea Boulevard, Sector 6, Bucharest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you've noticed a cavity in your child, it's best to have it checked before any pain sets in.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why does tooth decay progress more quickly in baby teeth?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Baby teeth are smaller, and the thickness of their hard tissues differs from that of permanent teeth. For this reason, a cavity that appears small on the surface can progress relatively quickly toward the tooth\u2019s pulp. This is precisely why it is important to have these lesions evaluated before pain sets in. Just because a child isn\u2019t complaining doesn\u2019t necessarily mean the problem is stable. The earlier treatment is provided, the simpler and more tolerable the procedure can be.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How do frequent snacks affect the risk of tooth decay?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not just the total amount of sweets that matters, but also how often the teeth are exposed to sugars and fermentable carbohydrates. Repeated sweet snacks, sipping sweetened beverages over long periods, and frequent eating between meals can keep the oral environment in a state conducive to cavities. For parents, a more realistic strategy than a total ban is to reduce the frequency, limit sweet foods to mealtimes, and ensure proper, supervised brushing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Why are regular checkups easier than emergency treatment?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A child who visits the dentist before experiencing pain is more likely to view the visit as a neutral or positive experience. When the first visit is marked by pain, sleepless nights, and fear, cooperation can be more difficult. Checkups allow for the identification of early cavities, discussion of oral hygiene, and the implementation of preventive measures before the problem requires more extensive treatment.<\/span><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Da, cariile din\u021bilor de lapte trebuie evaluate \u0219i, \u00een multe situa\u021bii, tratate, chiar dac\u0103 ace\u0219ti din\u021bi vor fi \u00eenlocui\u021bi \u00een [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":2777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2774","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-copii"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2774","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2774"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2774\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2784,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2774\/revisions\/2784"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2777"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2774"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2774"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/smilecity.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2774"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}