Are you among the one who gets scared of the word cavity as soon as you hear it from your dentist? There are many people who complain of tooth ache and go to dentist and most of the times it turns out to be cavities. Be it a child who eats plenty of chocolates to invite cavities or youngsters who eats sweets and invite cavities.
So, what are cavities? A cavity develops when a tooth decays or when the tooth breaks down. A cavity is a hole in the teeth which can grow bigger and deeper as time passes by. Cavities are also called as dental caries. It is essential to get your cavity repaired from a doctor if you have it. You might have questions on how cavities happen. One of the reasons is plaque.
Plaque is a sticky, slimy substance which is made up of the germs and this causes tooth decay. The bacteria present in your mouth create acids. When the plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away at the enamel. Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth.
The acids can continue to attack the enamel and the inside parts of your tooth can start to decay if you do not consult the doctor at the right time. If you have complaints of toothache or if you heard an adult complain about one, it could be possible that the cavity has reached all the way inside a tooth. This is where the nerve endings are and it can become really painful. When you visit the dentist, he will carefully examine your teeth and he may take some X-rays of the cavities. If your dentist discovers a cavity, he can repair the cavity by initially removing the rotten part of your tooth with a drill. The dentist will then fill the hole in your tooth with a special material. This is known as filling.
Does filling the cavities hurt? There are times when cavities hurt, but you can always ask your dentist to give you an anesthetic. This will numb the area around the tooth where the cavities are as you get your teeth filled. Though cavities can be repaired, you can try to avoid them. This can be done by taking good care of your teeth. You must brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after you eat or at least twice a day. You should definitely brush your teeth during bed time. You should also brush up and down in a circular motion and gently brush your gums to keep them healthy. You must also floss your teeth once a day. This can help you to remove the plaque and the food that is stuck between your teeth. You must also limit eating sweets and sugary drinks such as soda. It is also important to see your dentist twice a year for regular checkups.