Cavities and the Dentist: What You Should Know
Going to the dentist every six months is recommended by the American Dental Association as a way of preventing cavities and gum disease, as well as making sure you can stop problems from developing in your oral health before they get out of control. What's equally important is that you know all you can about cavities. The more information you have, the better you'll be able to stay on top of the issue and make sure you don't run into the kinds of problems that could be very expensive to fix.
Cavities form for various reasons, but one of the primary culprits are foods high in acid. This includes soft drinks, which are a one-two punch because of all the sugar they contain. The acid in soft drinks (which can also be found in certain fruits and fruit juices) has an eroding effect on the enamel of your teeth. When the enamel begins to wear away, it exposes the dentin beneath and leaves you vulnerable to tooth decay. A dentist can do little to bring back lost enamel. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. There are fillings, crowns, and other devices that can be implanted to act as an artificial replacement, but you only get one set of adult teeth.
One thing that comes as a surprise to many people is that a cavity isn't always accompanied by pain. Many people are shocked when they go to the dentist and are told they have a cavity. But this is actually not an unwelcome surprise--or it shouldn't be. If your dental professional identifies a cavity before it causes any pain, it probably means it was discovered early before advanced decay could set it. This means a filling will usually be enough to take care of the problem, avoiding more serious measures like extraction or root canal.
Flossing is essential. Every dentist in America will tell you the same thing, yet it remains much less popular than brushing. There is no way a toothbrush alone can get all of the food particles that have a tendency to get stuck between the teeth. Brushing and a mouthwash will get closer to solving the problem, but there is no good substitute for regular flossing. A cavity can form between the teeth just as easily as it can form on the bottom or front. Anywhere bacteria has a chance to eat away at the enamel there is potential for tooth decay. Grab a box of floss and get acquainted with it.
Cavities form for various reasons, but one of the primary culprits are foods high in acid. This includes soft drinks, which are a one-two punch because of all the sugar they contain. The acid in soft drinks (which can also be found in certain fruits and fruit juices) has an eroding effect on the enamel of your teeth. When the enamel begins to wear away, it exposes the dentin beneath and leaves you vulnerable to tooth decay. A dentist can do little to bring back lost enamel. Once it's gone, it's gone for good. There are fillings, crowns, and other devices that can be implanted to act as an artificial replacement, but you only get one set of adult teeth.
One thing that comes as a surprise to many people is that a cavity isn't always accompanied by pain. Many people are shocked when they go to the dentist and are told they have a cavity. But this is actually not an unwelcome surprise--or it shouldn't be. If your dental professional identifies a cavity before it causes any pain, it probably means it was discovered early before advanced decay could set it. This means a filling will usually be enough to take care of the problem, avoiding more serious measures like extraction or root canal.
Flossing is essential. Every dentist in America will tell you the same thing, yet it remains much less popular than brushing. There is no way a toothbrush alone can get all of the food particles that have a tendency to get stuck between the teeth. Brushing and a mouthwash will get closer to solving the problem, but there is no good substitute for regular flossing. A cavity can form between the teeth just as easily as it can form on the bottom or front. Anywhere bacteria has a chance to eat away at the enamel there is potential for tooth decay. Grab a box of floss and get acquainted with it.