Most people will get a cavity at some point in their lives. While this is never an enjoyable experience, it is very routine. Tooth decay still shouldn’t be taken lightly, so if your children are suffering from tooth pain or have simply not been in for a checkup recently, seek out your family dentist. To help your children avoid cavities, here are some basic facts about tooth decay.

Causes

There are good reasons that dentists caution against sugary snacks and advocate better brushing habits. When sugars and starches stay on your teeth, they form a thin film called plaque. The acidity of plaque is quite high, and when over concentrated can cause the bacteria in your mouth to eat its way through your teeth.

Symptoms

The symptoms of a cavity are typically fairly painful. Pain on the affected tooth could be triggered by pressure, hot or cold beverages, or it could come in waves. If you see any visible holes on your tooth, or if you can feel them with your tongue, you have a cavity.

Prevention and Solutions

Preventative measures are fairly straightforward. The best thing you can do is avoid sugary foods and maintain a regular brushing regimen. Your children can still eat sweets so long as they thoroughly brush after doing so.

Treatment for tooth decay is also straightforward, but can sometimes be tricky for children, which is why a dentist for children is a good idea. The procedure is a simple filling of the cavity and the installation of a cap. Some kids might fear this, though, which is one of the reasons pediatric dental sedations are growing in popularity. In fact, the number of sedations performed on children each year has swelled to 250,000, contributing to a reduction of fear for the dentist among many.

Tooth decay is simply part of life. It can happen even if you are excellently disciplined at brushing your teeth. Still, your chances are reduced greatly by proper brushing and eating habits. If you would like to learn more, visit our blog or contact us today.