Most teeth problems start with a cavity. It is a small hole on the tooth’s surface that is hardly visible to the untrained eye, but your dentist in Toronto may spot it for you.
A cavity can develop when sugars in the food you eat mix with the bacteria normally found in the mouth. This combination is slightly acidic and can wear out the enamel or outer covering of the teeth to form a cavity.
Who are at risk?
Young children tend to have cavities because of bottle feeding and their tendency to consume sweetened snacks and drinks. Adults may also get cavities when:
- they form around a filling, also known as “recurrent” cavities or
- they affect the roots of your teeth that are exposed by receding gums
What to do?
If you suspect that you or your child has a cavity, you should visit or take your child immediately to a dentist. In Toronto, an oral specialist or hygienist will check teeth first and depending on the extent of the cavity, he or she may recommend any of the following:
1. Replace broken or loose fillings.
2. Keep an eye on small ones in the meantime.
3. Fill up a cavity to stop decay and prevent pain.
4. As a last resort, remove the decayed tooth and replace it with a false or artificial one.
Childhood Tooth Decay
While young children are susceptible to tooth decay, you can help them by checking their teeth starting the age of 4. Once a month, examine your child’s teeth by lifting his or her lips and look for the following signs:
- dull white spots or lines on the teeth
- dark teeth
Bring your child to a dentist as soon as you see any of the mentioned signs of a cavity. Early treatment and intervention will prevent infection and pain that can arise from tooth decay.
Preventing cavities in children
Bottle feeding at bedtime can pose a challenge for parents who want to prevent tooth decay in young children. This is especially true for toddlers who settle down with a bottle of milk before sleeping.
Consider the following tips to keep cavities away:
- Offer a bottle of plain water instead of milk
- Give your child a clean soother, stuffed toy or favorite blanke to help him go to sleep
- If your child refuses to let go of his milk bottle at bedtime, try watering down your child’s bottle for a few weeks until only plain water is left.
Older children and adults can also suffer from cavities which are easily prevented with regular oral hygiene and visits to their dentist in Toronto.
