Did you know that 1 out of 4 adults in the United States has one or more cavities? Cavities are one of the most common dental problems worldwide. The problem is that many people don’t realize that they have them. They also don’t realize that there are different types of cavities.
If you have a child, you might be concerned about their dental health and how to find the best dentist for kids. Keep reading and learn more about how a Chicago kids dentist can help with cavities.
Pit and Fissure Cavities
Your back teeth are full of issues. If you look at the inside of your mouth in the mirror, you’ll notice how your teeth are full of grooves. These grooves are necessary for chewing.
They act as a rough surface to grind up your food so that it is easier to swallow. The problem is that these fissures can cause some issues for a person’s mental health. Choosing the best dentist for children (like Dr. Bob or Dr. Monika,) will make it easier to understand.
These fissures easily trap food after a person is done eating. If your child doesn’t brush their teeth very often, that trapped food will start to break down against that tooth. The best dentist in Chicago will advise that everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day.
This will prevent most dental problems. But if your child doesn’t brush their teeth, oral bacteria will flock to the food trapped in their teeth and cause cavities. This is how fissure and pit cavities form.
The Formation of Cavities
Oral bacteria cause the formation of cavities. Any top dentist in Chicago will tell you that bacteria can get trapped in these fissures as easily as food. This is why you need to advise your child to brush their teeth twice a day, every day.
Some children are reluctant to brush their teeth. They may not think it’s important or they may not want to. But it is still important to convince them to brush their teeth.
This will prevent them from having dental problems at an early age. Not brushing one’s teeth can also lead to gum disease, tooth decay, tooth infections, and many other issues. Once a cavity forms, there won’t be much of a choice but to have it treated by a dentist.
While this is not a terrible fate, it can be stressful for a child to have a cavity removed. This is why it’s best to prioritize prevention.
Smooth Cavities
Your teeth not only have fissures but also smooth sides. The smooth sides of your teeth are what people mostly see when you smile. There are also many smooth surfaces on your molars.
These surfaces are less likely to trap food because they don’t have as many ridges. This makes them less susceptible to cavity formation. But this doesn’t mean that they are immune to cavities.
While these areas don’t trap food, they are still exposed to food and drinks throughout the day. This happens because of plaque. Whenever you eat anything, the bacteria in your mouth will metabolize the food particles and create plaque.
This is a sticky substance that coats your teeth and slowly degrades them. This is one of the most common causes of cavities. The best method of cavity prevention for this is early cavity treatment.
How It Works
Make sure you brush your teeth after eating. This will remove any plaque that has formed over your teeth. Plaque not only causes cavities but also tooth decay.
This can make your teeth more sensitive and brittle. But how can you know if you have a cavity? The early signs of cavities are usually not noticeable.
The cavity will start as a small white dot on your teeth. It will then turn brown or black as it gets more advanced. As it dives deeper into your tooth, it may hit the more sensitive pulp and dentin.
This may cause you pain and sensitivity. It is important to treat a cavity before it gets too advanced. This is because advanced cavities can cause tooth infections and other problems.
They can destroy the structure of your tooth, too.
Root Cavities
Root cavities are one of the less common cavities, but they are also one of the most serious. If you want to have healthy teeth and gums, you should watch out for these cavities. They form on the root of a person’s teeth.
The root of a person’s tooth is the most important part of the tooth. This is because the root is what delivers blood and nutrients to the rest of the tooth. If the root gets damaged, the rest of the tooth won’t be able to survive.
It will soon turn gray or black and die. This is not something you want your child to deal with early in life. Root cavities may also get infected and wreak havoc on your child’s dental health.
Root cavities often happen if food gets stuck underneath the gumline. This is why it is as important to floss as it is to brush one’s teeth.
All About the Most Common Types of Cavities
There are many types of cavities your child should look out for. The most common are smooth and fissure cavities. Root cavities can also pose a problem for some people.
Your child can prevent cavities by brushing their teeth and flossing every day. Are you ready to make a dental appointment for your child? Check out our services and see how we can help.