From the time we are young, most of us are taught about the importance of brushing our teeth to prevent cavities. While your cosmetic dentistry professionals will advocate for the additional benefits of brushing your teeth – including avoiding gum disease and preventing infection – the prevention of cavities is still important. Below is a guide to some of the top questions patients at our cosmetic dentistry clinic have about cavities.
About Cavity
In the simplest terms, a cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth turns the sugars and starches you eat into acid. This acid, when combined with the bacteria, pieces of food, and saliva, begins to harden into something called plaque. If you don’t brush your teeth within 20 minutes of eating, the plaque will begin to build up, giving the bacteria and acid an opportunity to begin eating away at your tooth’s enamel, eventually causing cavities. A cavity on its own typically won’t hurt, or even be noticeable. However, that hole gives plaque a new place to burrow into, eventually eating away at your much more sensitive tooth pulp, leading to discomfort and pain.
In the simplest terms, a cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay. Bacteria in your mouth turns the sugars and starches you eat into acid. This acid, when combined with the bacteria, pieces of food, and saliva, begins to harden into something called plaque. If you don’t brush your teeth within 20 minutes of eating, the plaque will begin to build up, giving the bacteria and acid an opportunity to begin eating away at your tooth’s enamel, eventually causing cavities. A cavity on its own typically won’t hurt, or even be noticeable. However, that hole gives plaque a new place to burrow into, eventually eating away at your much more sensitive tooth pulp, leading to discomfort and pain.
Who gets cavities?
A lot of people associate cavities with childhood – and for good reason. According to the Center for Disease Control, up to 40% of children have what’s known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) – the process by which enamel is broken down, leading to tooth decay and cavities – before the age of five. There are several reasons why ECC exists more prominently in some families than others, including diet, genetics and good oral health habits, including fluoride treatments. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular dental checkups from an early age at your cosmetic dentistry clinic.
A lot of people associate cavities with childhood – and for good reason. According to the Center for Disease Control, up to 40% of children have what’s known as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) – the process by which enamel is broken down, leading to tooth decay and cavities – before the age of five. There are several reasons why ECC exists more prominently in some families than others, including diet, genetics and good oral health habits, including fluoride treatments. This is why it’s so important to schedule regular dental checkups from an early age at your cosmetic dentistry clinic.