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Question: How are cavities diagnosed?
Answer: Some cavities are evident to the eye. They may present as a hole in the tooth or a soft spot. Others are best diagnosed by x-rays. Only with an x-ray can a dentist spot decay between teeth or hiding under the enamel. Routine exams and diagnostic x-rays are important. The larger decay gets before it is found and treated, the more expensive and extensive the treatment.
Question: How is a cavity treated?
Answer: If decay is very small and not yet in dentin, sometimes it will not develop into a full fledged cavity that has to be treated. Decay that begins on enamel but stops growing is called arrested decay. Most decay, once it has started, continues to grow until it is removed. A dentist removes decay, shapes the resulting hole and places a filling in the tooth. If the decay has destroyed a lot of tooth structure, a crown, or buildup and crown may be necessary. If the decay has reached the inner part of the tooth which is inhabited by the nerve tissue, a root canal will be needed.
Question: How can decay be prevented?
Answer: The first things that must be done to control decay are plaque removal (an electric toothbrush is especially helpful). Floss should be used to clean between teeth. Secondly, sweet food should be minimized. The decay producing bacteria live on sugar. Remember that carbohydrates (bread, etc.) become sugar in the mouth. Limit snacks and brush after eating. Especially harmful is the habit that some people have of always sucking on mints. Most mints have sugar and are really candy.
Another thing that may be helpful is the use of a prescription mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine (E.g., Peridex). This is approved in the United States for use in early gum disease but it also can kill bacteria that are causing decay. Toothpaste should contain fluoride.
Question: How should children's teeth be protected?
Answer: Children should have fluoride in their system at the time enamel is forming. This means that if the water supply is not fluoridated, children should take a fluoride supplement from birth until around age 12. Usually fluoride is first given by the baby's pediatrician. The dose will need to be increased as the baby grows.
Decay in children's' teeth should be treated. Baby teeth can become abscessed and early loss of baby teeth can cause orthodontic problems.
Question: What is baby bottle decay?
Answer: This is a severe form of decay that occurs in children who sleep with a bottle of milk or juice in their mouth. It is usually treated by pedodontists (specialists in children's dentistry) under general anesthesia.
Question: What are root cavities?
Answer: Root cavities occur in middle aged to elderly people on the root surface under the gum. They are caused by a different bacteria that other decay . They can be very difficult to get rid of and seem to go from tooth to tooth. I have had good success with Chlorhexidine mouthwash. If you have this type of decay you should not even think about chewing or sucking mints. (Really, everyone should not even think about a mint/candy habit) Eating candy between meals is a bad idea also.
Question: What is a sealant?
Answer: There is a type of decay that occurs on the biting surface of back molars in pits and grooves of some teeth. A sealant represents an attempt to seal off the groove or pit before decay develops. Sealants can be useful in preventing this one kind of decay. Some teeth do not need sealants (I.e., their grooves are already closed when they erupt) and sealants should never be used to cover over decay already in the groove, as that decay can continue to grow.
Please remember that this information on this site is not all-inclusive and it may or may not apply to your situation and you need to call your own dentist. A dentist needs to see the tooth, take and x-ray, etc. to diagnose and treat. I do not take new patients and cannot respond to email inquiries or phone calls. Thanks for visiting!
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