Why is My Child Drooling After a Cavity Filling?

Cavities are more common in children than adults. In fact, 42% of children between the ages of 2 and 11 face cavities at some point in their lives. Sadly, many of these cavities are not diagnosed and treated, leading to more serious complications.

The main reason that cavities in children often go undiagnosed and untreated is because children and some parents simply don’t know the signs and symptoms of a cavity. By taking your child to the dentist every six months, you can find out whether they have any cavities and treat them early on.

If a dentist does find a cavity in your child’s mouth, don’t worry. It can be solved through a dental filling. A dental filling is intended to patch the hole that the cavity has left on their tooth. Without a dental filling to “fill” a cavity, food, plaque, and bacteria may collect in the hole once again and lead to more serious damage and pain.

During a dental filling, a dentist will use a local anesthetic to numb the area of concern and remove the decay gently with a special drill. Then, they’ll fill the cavity with a tooth-colored composite resin filling, smooth the surface, and polish the tooth.

If you notice your child drooling during a filling procedure, don’t be alarmed as this is completely normal. When your child receives a tooth extraction, their body will treat the area worked on as a wound that must heal. Their saliva will act as a healing and disinfecting agent and naturally clean their mouth of bacteria, leading to excessive drooling. Miami Orthodontist, Dr. Derek Sanders, explains that drooling and saliva are often a concern but rarely are a major issue.

Schedule an Appointment at Wells Family Dental Group

If you have further questions about drooling after a dental filling, we encourage you to to call our office at 919-266-5332 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any dental related questions you may have.