Key word: Prevention

This just in...cavities are preventable!! I can't even begin to tell you how many children I see in one day that have cavities, even as early as 1 years old! It's rather frustrating as a hygienist to see so many people getting cavities, especially young children! My job not only is to "clean teeth" and take x-rays, the biggest part of my job is educating my patients and their parents. It's not okay that all these children have mouths full of cavities. It shouldn't be the norm. It shouldn't be brushed off that "they only have one cavity" or it shouldn't be a surprise to parents "they don't have more cavities." Cavities are a bigger deal than that and they are preventable! (I think I may of mentioned that and will say it at least one more time!)) 

I'm not talking about seeing 1 teeny, itty bitty cavity here and there. It's not uncommon to see several cavities in the mouths of these children. Some needing white fillings, some needing silver caps and some cavities so large the tooth needs to be extracted. 

 

Why is this happening?

People aren't taking care of their teeth like they should be: Not brushing long enough or at all, not flossing, not using rinses, poor diet, not seeing their Dentist regularly. No one enjoys getting a cavity and having to get it filled. No one wants to see their Dental Hygienist and Dentist more than twice a year, but many are. 

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a hole in your tooth. The hole can grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are also called dental caries and if you have a cavity, it's important to get it fixed by the Dentist ASAP. 

          (Curtesy of kidshealth.org) 

How does a cavity form? PLAQUE. That's that sticky, soft stuff on your teeth that should be brushed off. Plaque is made up mostly of the germs and foods that cause tooth cavities. The bacteria in your mouth make acids and when plaque sticks to your teeth, the acids can eat away at your tooth. If a cavity does not get filled when small, the cavity can get bigger and grow through the layers of the teeth and reach the pulp of the tooth. This is when an extraction or root canal is needed. 

Now I know things happen but did I mention cavities are preventable? :)