5 Surprising Facts About Cavities
Chances are you will
have a cavity sometime in your lifetime – especially with 92% of adults in the
United States having at least one. Do we really know much of anything about
this common tooth malady? The team at our goyal dental hospital . has put together five surprising facts about cavities for you.
1.
Cavities
are a form of tooth decay
Tooth decay is a scary term. It brings up
images of rotting, yellowing and crooked teeth that most of us don’t like to
think about.
While it takes a lot
of decay for teeth to end up like that, tooth decay does have adverse effects on our overall health.
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 26
percent of adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have some form of tooth decay
that has been untreated.
When left like this, the decay can spread and
cause a much bigger problem than a cavity and simple filling.
2.
There
are no age limits to cavities
Cavities can form as early as your first tooth hand as late as your last tooth. For infant children who are
first starting out with teeth, it is important to get them to the dentist
within 6 months of their first tooth sprouting. A dentist will keep an eye on
their tooth development and help teach you how to care for your infant’s teeth
as they progress.
On the other hand,
more mature patients are seeing an increase in the number of cavities in their teeth. This is oftentimes because of medicines that
dry out the saliva in their mouth – and
Sugar
(sort of) rots your teeth
Sugar and other carbohydrates often kick-start
acid production from bacteria in your mouth. This acid is what wears down your
teeth and their resistance to cavities. Surprisingly, carbohydrates can be
found in almost anything but protein – so just take care of your teeth after
you eat.
4.
Prevention
is your best defense against cavities
Once you have a cavity, the decay can be
stopped and the tooth patched – but the decay cannot be reversed. That is why it is so important for you to
maintain a good oral hygiene routine.
Brushing, flossing and using a mouth rinse
will help ensure you are cleaning as much bad bacteria off of your teeth as
possible. Regular check-ups at the dentist will help clean any areas you missed
(and keep you adjusting your brushing and flossing to account for those missed
spaces).
5.
You
cannot always tell when you have a cavity
In fact, if you wait until you think you have
a cavity to sit in the dentist’s chair for a check-up, the decay has oftentimes
done more damage than if it was caught when it started at a regular check-up.
Dentists have years of training and practice looking for signs of tooth decay in your mouth. Plus, they can really examine every surface of
your teeth up close.
Experts recommend you visit one of us dentists
at least once every six months for a thorough cleaning and just to be sure
there’s nothing that needs to be fixed.
Tooth decay can be scary – but it is
controllable. With a proper
oral hygiene routine practiced
regularly, bi-annual check-ups at the dentists and treating cavities right
away, your adult teeth can last you a long time without giving you any major
problems. If you’re behind on your check-ups, give our dental hospital call to
make an appointment today.
For more myths and facts about cavities, visit us www.goyaldentalhospital.in
Contact us – 8432284232
GOYAL DENTAL HOSPITAL SUMERPUR
(Arya samaj circle ,jawai bandh road
sumerpur)
What oral hygiene
habits do you wish you were better at? COMMENT below to tell us!