Understanding Cavities in Children
A cavity (dental caries) forms when bacteria in the mouth feed on sugars and produce acid that erodes tooth enamel. The process can begin as soon as the first tooth erupts.
- Sugary drinks and snacksFrequent consumption of juice, flavoured milk, biscuits, chocolates, and dried fruits that cling to tooth surfaces.
- Inadequate brushingNot enough time, wrong technique, or missing back teeth and between teeth.
- Night-time bottle feedingMilk or juice pooling around teeth during sleep — a leading cause of early childhood decay.
- Deep grooves in back teethNatural pits that trap food and bacteria even with good brushing.
- Shared utensilsCavity-causing bacteria can transfer from parent to child through spoons, cups, or by tasting food before giving it.
Yes — absolutely. Baby teeth hold space for permanent teeth, support chewing and nutrition, and protect the developing tooth underneath. Untreated decay causes pain, infection, and abscess that can damage the permanent tooth. A painless cavity at stage 2 is a far better outcome than a painful abscess at stage 4.
Treatment Matched to Severity
We match treatment to the exact stage of decay — from a paint-on liquid to a crown, and every option in between.
Stage 1 — White Spot Lesion
A chalky white area indicates early mineral loss. No drilling needed. We apply fluoride varnish or Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) to remineralise the enamel and arrest decay.
Stage 2 — Enamel Cavity
Decay has broken through the enamel surface. A small filling is required. We use minimally invasive techniques — removing only decayed tissue — and restore with tooth-coloured composite or glass ionomer cement. Most procedures at this stage require no injection.
Stage 3 — Dentine Cavity
Decay reaching the softer dentine layer progresses faster and may cause sensitivity. For deeper lesions close to the nerve, an Indirect Pulp Cap (IPC) procedure protects the nerve and allows healing.
Stage 4 — Pulp Involvement
When decay reaches the nerve, a Pulpotomy (partial nerve treatment) or Pulpectomy (full root canal for baby teeth) is required, followed by a crown to protect the tooth.
Stage 5 — Abscess or Advanced Infection
An abscess is a bacterial infection at the root. It requires immediate treatment — drainage, pulpectomy, and in some cases antibiotic therapy. Please call us the same day.
Stage 6 — Extraction
If a tooth is too severely damaged to save, extraction may be the only option. We strongly recommend placing a space maintainer to prevent drifting and crowding of permanent teeth.
At the earliest stages, Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) can arrest and remineralise decay without any drilling — ideal for young or anxious children. For small enamel cavities, LASER dentistry removes decay without the drilling vibration and sound children find most frightening.
Prevention Plan After Treatment
- Six-monthly checkupsProfessional fluoride varnish applied at every visit to strengthen enamel between appointments.
- Pit and fissure sealantsApplied to newly erupted back teeth to seal grooves before decay begins.
- Supervised brushingTwice daily with age-appropriate fluoride toothpaste — technique matters more than duration.
- Eliminate night bottlesReplace sugary drinks with water, especially before sleep.
- Diet counsellingA targeted, practical session for the whole family — non-judgemental, focused on frequency of sugar exposure rather than total sugar quantity.
What Families Say
"My 4-year-old had six cavities. Dr. Mittal treated four with SDF — no needles, no drilling. My daughter sat completely still and kept asking to come back."
"Our son walked out telling his sister the dentist is 'actually fun.' He had never been without crying before."