TOOTH DECAY IN YOUNG CHILDREN IS NOT JUST AN AESTHETIC ISSUE – BUT AN EARLY WARNING SIGN THAT NEEDS IMMEDIATE TREATMENT

Tooth decay is not only a fear of adults – for children, it can be the beginning of early loss of chewing function and self-confidence. The following case is a typical example: 4 upper front teeth were decayed, blackened, and worn down to half the tooth body. From the simple desire of “the child wants to see beautiful teeth,” a treatment journey was undertaken with the highest goal: preserving the teeth, minimizing invasiveness, and restoring the smile with an optimal solution.. This is not just a dental treatment case, but also a moving reminder about the importance of proper care for baby teeth.

1. Treatment case of client N.K.N – 4 years old: A story from a child’s smile

Little girl N.K.N – 4 years old – was brought to Herident Dental Clinic for a scheduled check-up with serious damage to 4 upper front teeth (teeth 51, 52, 61, 62): the tooth bodies were severely worn and broken, blackened, and had lost up to half their structure.

This condition not only affected chewing function but also made the child shy, unwilling to smile, and gradually lose confidence in daily communication. Her family members are professionals in the medical field, and therefore were particularly careful in choosing the treatment method – prioritizing a safe, effective, and minimally invasive solutionto gently and comprehensively protect the child's oral health.

2. Initial condition – Not just “baby tooth decay”

Attending doctor: Doctor Bùi Thị Hải

Intraoral examination recorded:

• Four upper front teeth showed significant wear, shortened and broken tooth bodies, and deep black discoloration – indicating that the damage had progressed severely. The anterior occlusion was unfavorable, affecting both chewing function and aesthetics.
• There was tooth interlocking, especially in the front region, posing a risk of bite misalignment during development if not intervened and monitored early.
• The child still had the habit of drinking milk at night, which increases the risk of recurrent tooth decay. Notably, the child had previously been treated with SDF (silver diamine fluoride) – a substance that kills bacteria, remineralizes enamel, and slows down tooth tissue destruction. However, the continued bad habit made the treatment effect difficult to maintain long-term without family cooperation.

3. Family concerns – and the child's legitimate desire

In selecting a dental treatment method for their child, the family always prioritized safety and gentleness . The greatest desire was for the child to be treated with a minimally invasive, painless method, especially one that does not affect the dental pulp – the vital part that helps maintain long-term oral health.

Moreover, the family wanted a quick and gentle procedure, so the child would not feel scared or pressured during each visit. Creating a pleasant experience for the child is extremely important, as positive emotions help children cooperate better and reduce fear when going to the dentist.

Alongside comfort and safety, aesthetics and chewing function could not be overlooked. Both the family and the child hoped that after treatment, the child could confidently smile, eat normally, and grow up healthy like any other child.

Ultimately, the highest goal was to maintain healthy baby teeth until the natural time for them to fall out. Retaining baby teeth not only ensures chewing and speech functions but also serves as a crucial “space maintainer” for permanent teeth later.

4. Treatment method: GIC fillings for front teeth – the optimal choice for young children

After clinical examination, the doctors at Herident proposed the optimal approach: Filling teeth with GIC (Glass Ionomer Cement) – a specialized material for children. GIC fillings .

Outstanding advantages of GIC:

• Minimally invasive, no need for anesthesia, painless.
• Quick procedure time – only about 20 minutes.
• Good aesthetics, teeth appear noticeably brighter.
• Ability to release fluoride to remineralize and prevent recurrent decay.
• Acts as a medium to transfer fluoride from saliva and toothpaste into the enamel.
• Reasonable cost, suitable for widespread treatment in children.

In addition to the main treatment plan, the doctor also provided alternative options based on the child’s cooperation level and specific tooth condition:

Prefabricated zirconia crown:

Advantage: High durability and excellent aesthetics.

Limitation: Requires anesthesia and deep tooth reduction, more invasive below the gumline than other methods. Higher cost.

Note: Not suitable if the child is uncooperative or still anxious and fearful of treatment.

Filling with composite material:

Advantage: Highly aesthetic, color closely matches natural teeth.

Limitation: Longer procedure time, requires the child to sit still longer; does not release fluoride to help prevent future decay.

5. Treatment procedure: Quick and simple

Step 1: Cleaning decayed tooth tissue, removing damage

The doctor carefully cleaned the decayed tooth areas, completely removing the damaged, broken tooth tissue to stop bacterial spread and prepare a clean tooth surface for the next restorative step.

Step 2: Placement of GIC filling material – restoring tooth shape

GIC filling material was used to restore the tooth body, ensuring aesthetic harmony and restoring chewing function. The doctor also adjusted the occlusion to ensure the child felt comfortable when chewing and speaking.

Step 3: Polishing – completing the little smile

After shaping, the tooth surface was polished to smoothness, bringing comfort and natural aesthetics. The restored tooth was not only healthy but also contributed to a bright, confident smile for the child.

6. Follow-up result after 2 months – The smile returns, and the child changes

After more than 2 months of follow-up, the child’s teeth still retained their natural shine and strength, with no signs of discoloration. Chewing ability remained stable, and the child carried out daily activities without any difficulty.

Most valuable of all was the psychological change: the child became more confident, smiled more, eagerly posed for photos, and interacted with others. This was not just an improvement in oral health, but also a positive emotional and behavioral transformation – a complete result hoped for by both family and doctor.

Don’t wait until baby teeth are severely damaged – intervene while you still can

The treatment case of little N. is a thoughtful reminder to parents: baby tooth decay is a very real issue, and if ignored, the consequences can last into adulthood – affecting aesthetics, chewing function, and even psychological development.

The good news is that with modern dental techniques and safe materials, young children can be treated gently, painlessly – without fear – non-invasively, and most importantly: regain their pure smile and inherent confidence.

International Children’s Day on June 1st is coming – instead of a material gift, give your child something more meaningful: timely health care.
A healthy, beautiful smile not only helps a child feel confident but also serves as a strong foundation for a joyful and positive upbringing. Don’t wait – because every small change today can make a big difference in your child’s future.