Dental cavities are the most commonly treated tooth problem in both adults and children across the globe. However, few people understand what they are, how they occur. It’s important you know the correct treatment and how your children’s dentist will prevent them. It’s important to understand how your tooth is made up, to understand how cavities are formed.
Every tooth has a ‘crown’ (the part you see in your mouth) and roots. The crown is coated in natural tooth enamel, which is a hard surface designed to keep bacteria out. However, children’s tooth enamel is not as strong as fully formed adult enamel. Because children’s tooth enamel is not as strong, cavities can form in baby teeth much more quickly and easily than adult teeth.
Acid, sugars, bacteria and plaque can weaken children’s enamel very rapidly, making it slightly softer. As it softens, a pit or hole forms, where the enamel has been decayed. These holes of the decayed tooth, are cavities. The cavities can get bigger and bigger, affecting more of the tooth, if left untreated.
The most common treatment for cavities is fillings. In the past, fillings have been dark silver and quite unappealing, however today, fillings are almost undetectable. The bacteria, plaque and decay that is in the cavity are drilled out using high-speed instruments and water jets.
The tooth will be numbed, and this process is not painful whatsoever. Once all the decay has been cleaned out from the tooth, the excavation site is then lined with a bonding solution and filling material is shaped into the cavity. Once cured with a UV light, the filling is rock hard.
While cavities can be treated, it is highly detrimental to your child’s future dental health to have decayed teeth through their childhood years. This is why brushing, flossing and regular check-ups are crucial for kids.
Thanks for this very educational blog post! The treatment for cavities varies depending on the severity and size of the cavity. Some cavities require a filling, while others may need a root canal. What is the most common treatment for cavities?
Different treatments for cavities can be decided upon by your dentist based on your condition and what is happening with the dental health of your mouth. The most common treatment for cavities is a filling, which can be done in two ways: composite or amalgam.