When we are kids, the biggest bother we had was brushing our teeth. It always felt like a big hassle, but mom and dad made us do it because we didn’t want to get cavities. Not exactly sure what a cavity was as a kid, but if it meant having to go to the dreaded dentist, we brush. And if you’re pretty good at brushing, you never think you’ll get one. Until the day you do…
It will be just a typical day in the dentist chair, a run of the mill check-up. Walk in, take a few x-rays and wait for the doctor to bring the good news – no cavities. Not today. You officially have your first cavity.
If you ask how the cavity got there, you’ll discover cavities are made by plaque bacteria breaking down tooth enamel. But what do they eat? All the sugary foods you do. So, any sweets or carbs you eat leftover is basically shared with the bacteria. Generally, if you catch it early enough, you won’t notice any pain. This is why it was so important to brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing and flossing takes away all of the leftover food in your mouth so the plaque bacteria couldn’t eat it.
So how is it fixed? Your dentist will need to give you a filling. They will remove the damaged part of the tooth and fill it back in so it’s as good as new. If you continue to be a good brusher, and try not to have too many sweets, there is no reason you will continue to get cavities.
To find out more about cavity prevention, contact Advanced Dental Group in West Palm Beach, FL at (561) 220-4808 to schedule a consultation today! Or visit our website at www.advanceddentalgrp.com for information.
