Cleaning and preventive care: Regular cleanings and preventive care can help to keep a child’s teeth and gums healthy. This may include fluoride treatments to strengthen the enamel on the teeth, sealants to protect against cavities, and dietary recommendations to help prevent tooth decay.

If a child has a cavity, the dentist may recommend a filling to repair the damaged tooth. Fillings are made of composite resin.

In some cases, a tooth may be too damaged to be repaired and will need to be removed. This is known as an extraction.

If a child loses a baby tooth prematurely, a space maintainer can be used to hold the space open until the permanent tooth comes in. This helps to prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting out of place.