Have you ever had a cavity? If you have, you aren’t alone. In fact, tooth decay is one of the most common dental problems Americans face. However, there are a variety of problems associated with cavities. Fortunately, many of the concerns you may have heard about aren’t anything to concern yourself with. In fact, much of what you’ve been told could be inaccurate. To help you separate fact from fiction, we are happy to provide you with some information on a dental cavity.
Teeth Grinding and Gaps: Were you told that grinding or clenching your teeth can be the reason you have a cavity? Did you read that a gap in your smile could also cause cavities? Neither of these is quite true. In fact, cavities are only caused by bacteria, meaning that if gaps are kept clean your teeth will be safe. However, if you grind or clench your teeth, you can create small cracks where bacteria can grow.
A Kids Smile: If you’ve heard that children get more cavities than adults, that rumor is outdated. In the last few decades, the number of cavities in school-aged children has reduced by nearly half. Again, tooth decay is caused by bacteria, not by sugar. As long as you remove the harmful bacteria, your child’s smile should be safe. It is also crucial to care for your baby’s teeth to prevent cavities that can spread to their other teeth and have lasting effects.
Finding Your Own Cavity: Have you ever heard that you can find your own cavity? If you are able to recognize locate a cavity on your own, our dentist could have already offered a solution. This is another reason we recommend visiting us every six months. However, please visit a dentist if you have a toothache, sensitivity, holes or pits in your teeth, or any staining on your tooth’s surface.
If you are interested in learning more, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We are excited to hear from you soon!
