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Dec 20, 2024By Dr. Akanksha Priya
A child’s dental care is another essential aspect when it comes to parenting. ‘Silver tooth’ is another concern that often requires extra care. It occurs when a stainless steel crown is utilized to protect a decayed or damaged tooth. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, almost one out of every five kids between the ages of 5 and 11 has at least one untreated decayed tooth.
Read below this article to learn about silver teeth and why your child needs a silver tooth. Also read about some maintenance and dental care tips for silver tooth kids.
Silver Tooth: What It Is?
A silver tooth is basically a stainless-steel crown that is used to cover the entire tooth. In pediatric dentistry, it is widely used to protect primary (baby) teeth that are too damaged by decay to hold a regular filling. They are not only durable but are also easy to place and cost-effective, making them best for restoring children's teeth until the permanent tooth grows in.
Does Your Child Need a Silver Tooth?
Your child needs a silver tooth if the child has extensive tooth decay or a tooth that has been damaged or fractured. Nearly 20 percent of children aged 5–11 suffer from untreated tooth decay.
Cavities can weaken the tooth, making it difficult to preserve with just a filling. Therefore, a stainless steel crown is used as a solution to prevent the tooth from further decay and helps maintain the tooth’s function until it naturally falls out to make room for a permanent tooth.
Here are some other circumstances when your kid might need a silver tooth.
- Root Canal Treatment: Such treatments remove infected pulp tissue, and the tooth may become weaker. Thus, a silver crown helps protect the tooth.
- Broken Teeth: If a tooth is damaged by trauma, a silver crown may be used to prevent further cracking or breaking.
- Extensive Tooth Decay: The crown can help prevent the tooth from further damage.
Maintenance Tips for Silver Tooth
The silver crown lasts until the child grows a permanent one. Here are some essential tips to ensure the health of your kid’s silver tooth.
- Regular brushing and flossing, typically two times a day, will maintain and help prevent tooth decay.
- Limit foods and drinks containing a high quantity of sugar, as they can still cause decay in other teeth or along the gumline.
- Ensure routine dental visits every six months to monitor the health of your child’s dental hygiene and crown.
When To Visit A Doctor?
It is important to monitor the health of your kid’s crown even after your child gets a silver tooth. Here’s when you should consult your dentist.
- The crown becomes loose or falls out.
- Your child complains of pain or sensitivity in the crowned tooth.
- There are signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, or fever.
Conclusion
Silver tooth kid is a great approach when it comes to treating damaged teeth and preventing further damage.While they are durable, it is also important to ensure proper care and health of the silver crown. If your child experiences discomfort or pain, it is important to consult the dentist immediately while also focusing on oral hygiene.
