Cavities are another term for tooth decay. Tooth decay is heavily affected by lifestyle, what we eat and drink, how well we take care of our teeth, the presence of fluoride in our water or drinks and toothpaste. Heredity also plays a crucial role in how susceptible your teeth may be to decay.
Cavities are generally more common among children as they mostly eat and sweet like chocolates and juices, adults are also at risk. If you face such problems you can get in touch with Dentist Milperra and solutions to every problem.
Generally, there are three types of cavities which include:
Coronal cavities
This is the most common type occurring in both children and adults, coronal cavities usually are located between the teeth or on chewing surfaces.
Root cavities
As people age, our gums recede, which leaves the parts of tooth root exposed. As there is no enamel covering the tooth roots, these exposed areas easily decay.
Recurrent decay
Decay generally forms around the existing fillings and crowns because these areas may have a tendency to accumulate plaque, which will ultimately lead to decay
Adults suffering from dry mouth especially risk for cavities, a condition due to a lack of saliva. Illness, medications, radiation therapy and chemotherapy can generally cause dry mouth and it can be either temporary for few days to months or permanent, depending on its cause.
Cavities are very serious if left untreated it can destroy the tooth and kill the delicate nerves at its center, which will result in an abscess, an area of infection at the root tip. If a person experiences an abscess once, it can be treated with a root canal, surgery or by extracting the tooth completely.
How to know if you have a Cavity?
It is very hard to know if you have a cavity, only your dentist can tell for sure whether you have a cavity or not. This is because cavities develop below the tooth’s surface, where you can’t see.
Foods contain carbohydrates and these carbohydrates are eaten by the bacteria in plaque, producing acids that eat into the tooth. The enamel of the tooth begins to break down with time and the surface remains intact and when sub-surface enamel is eaten away, the surface collapses which forms cavity.
How to prevent cavities?
1.Floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gum line and brush twice a day.
2.Meet your dentist at regular intervals. Caring for your teeth is important to prevent problems from occurring and to keep minor problems from becoming major ones
3.Opt for a well-balanced diet which limits starchy or sugary foods. If do eat these foods, try to eat them with your meal instead of as a snack to minimize the number of times that your teeth are exposed to acid.
4.Try using the dental products that contain fluoride, including toothpaste
5.Check whether the water which your children are drinking is fluoridated or not. If your water supply do not contain sufficient fluoride, your dentist may prescribe daily fluoride supplements
Now you know what are cavities and tips to prevent them, but in case if you suffer from any oral health you can get in touch with Dentist Milperra to eradicate all your oral and gum problems to live a germ-free life.
