Cavities are damaged areas in your teeth that can potentially develop into tiny holes or tiny openings on the teeth. Cavities are also sometimes called as tooth decay and cavities are caused by multiple factors such as bacteria inside your mouth, frequent unhealthy snacking, sugary drinks, and also not brushing your teeth well enough. Dentist in Orem say that cavities are one of the most common health problems in the world today. Cavities and decays are especially common in children. But anyone can develop cavities including toddlers.
If cavities are left untreated, they will expand and get larger and can even affect the deeper layers of the teeth. Untreated cavities can even lead to chronic toothaches, tooth loss as well as infection. Regular dental visits which should be every 6 months and good teeth brushing habits are the best way to avoid cavities and tooth decay.
Symptoms Of Cavities
The symptoms of cavities will all depend on which tooth the cavity is located on. When a cavity is just barely developing, you most likely won’t have any symptoms at first. As the cavity gets larger, it might start to cause symptoms such as:
- Mild or severe toothache
- Tooth sensitivity
- Harp tooth pain when drinking or eating hot and cold food
- Visible holes in your teeth
- Brown staining on the teeth
- Pain when you bite down on food
Some people never even develop any symptoms so they are unaware that they have a cavity. So that is why it is so important to visit a dentist every 6 months for a check-up, even if you feel completely fine. But, if you’re experiencing pain or toothache, then you should seek dental care immediately.
How To Prevent Cavities?
Practicing good oral hygiene is the most effective way of preventing future cavities and decay. Here are some great tips that can help you prevent cavities. Also, ask your dentist for professional tips.
Brush your teeth with toothpaste that contains fluoride after drinking or eating. You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, morning and night. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride in it and you should also be flossing your teeth before you go to bed.
Rinse your mouth. If your dentist tells you that you have a high chance of developing cavities, then the dentist might recommend that you use a mouthwash that has fluoride in it.
Visit the dentist twice a year. Getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist and racing regular oral exams can help prevent cavity problems because your dentist will be able to spot the early signs.
Drink public water. Most water that comes out of a faucet in a public setting will contain fluoride, and as I mentioned before, fluoride can help reduce the risk of developing cavities. Bottled water that you can buy at the store usually does not contain any fluoride, so you end up missing out on potential benefits.
Eat healthy foods. Some drinks and foods can be better for your teeth than some other foods. A dentist in Orem recommends that you avoid any foods that might get stuck between your teeth for a long period of time.