What are cavities?

Cavities don’t hurt my teeth, so what’s the big deal?

Cavities are the most common dental concern faced by both children and adults throughout the world.  A cavity is a hole in the tooth that is made by germs living inside our mouths.  If we don’t treat the cavities, they can cause toothaches and even make us very sick.

Our teeth are made up of three layers: the outer layer called enamel, the middle layer called dentin, and inside layer called the pulp.  The germs inside our mouths feed on the sugars that stick to our teeth after we eat.  If we don’t brush them away, the germs can produce acid that make cavities in our enamel.  This does not hurt, because the enamel does not sense pain.  Next the acid eats through the dentin, and still does not cause pain. But then it enters the pulp layer.  The pulp can sense pain, so this is when we first notice a toothache.  If the cavity is not treated, germs can make their way into the blood and travel to other parts of the body.  This can lead to headaches, ear aches, body pain, and overall illness.

Unfortunately, teeth cannot repair cavities on their own.  But the good news is your dentist can completely cure a cavity when treated early.  Even better news is you can prevent cavities by following a few simple steps. 

How can we treat cavities?

I did everything right, but still got a cavity! 

Don’t worry.  It’s not always your fault.  Cavities can sometimes occur in parts of teeth that are hard to clean with a toothbrush, or by trauma that causes a tooth to crack or break.  Either way, the dentist is your friend. Most dentists take their patients’ comfort very seriously, and they will try to make your experience as pleasant as possible.

Dentists have the tools and skills to remove cavities and repair teeth to look like new.  The procedure usually starts with the use local anesthesia to eliminate pain during the process.  The cavity is then removed from the infected area.  Next, the dentist will add a filling to cover the hole.  Often, the dentist can match the filling color with the tooth to make it look natural.  The filling is then shaped and treated with a special light that allows it to harden and remain secured.  The tooth can be polished to look as good as new, and you should no longer experience pain or risk of infection from that particular cavity.

How do we prevent cavities?

I’ve got something to smile about— my teeth! 

Keeping teeth clean, cavity-free and beautiful not only improves our smile and freshens our breath, but also it can improve our overall health.

Here are a few tips to prevent cavities.

1. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.  Brush for 2 minutes each time: once in the morning and once at night.
2. Floss between teeth once a day.  This will remove bacteria that get stuck around the gums.
3. Avoid snacking and sipping on soda between meals.  Instead, enjoy your favorite dessert or beverage during your meals.  Afterwards, your teeth will get a chance to rest and recover.
4. Chew sugarless gum between meals.  Chewing gum causes your mouth to produce saliva which can fight the germs.  Remember, it needs to be sugarless gum!  Regular gum has sugar which will increase bacterial growth.
5. Drink fluoride water.  Fluoride is a proven way to strengthen the teeth’s enamel.  Check with your city to see if the public water supply is fluorinated.  Take note that filtered water and bottled water may not always contain fluoride.
6. Go to the dentist. Visit the dentist once or twice a year to have your teeth checked and cleaned.  Dentists can see cavities on x-rays and help fix them before they start to hurt.

Take care of your teeth, and they will take good care of you. 

For more information, contact us at Lucent Dental. If you are a teacher or instructor, please let us know, and we can provide you with handouts, brochures, and learning material that can be used in the classroom. We would happily come to your school to help educate your students.