Cavities are one of the world’s most common health problems – especially in children, teenagers, and older adults. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 52 percent of children have a cavity in their primary teeth and 57 percent of teenagers have a cavity in their permanent teeth. Additionally, a whopping 90 percent of adults over the age of 20 have had a least one cavity.
A cavity can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Therefore, it’s essential to practice good oral and dental hygiene habits, identify potential signs, and receive proper timely treatment.
What is a Cavity?
A cavity, also known as tooth decay, occurs when the buildup of food and bacteria go untreated and turn into plaque. The bacteria created by plaque produces an acid that attacks and breaks down the enamel on the surface of teeth. When this process takes place within your mouth, it forms holes in the teeth and can cause severe complications if left untreated.
There are three types of cavities – coronal, root, and recurrent decay. A coronal cavity is the most common form of cavity and is located on the chewing surface or between teeth. A root cavity is most common in older adults. It occurs when gums recede and leave the tooth root exposed to toxic plaque. Lastly, recurrent decay happens around existing fillings or crowns where plaque can build up.
8 Possible Signs You May Have a Cavity
Cavities are often hard to spot as they can develop in the pits on the chewing surface of the back teeth. However, below are eight possible signs that you may have a cavity.
Toothache
Swelling or pus around your tooth
Damaged or broken tooth
Chewing problems – pain when biting
Hot & cold sensitivity
Discoloration on your tooth
Bad breath
Hole or pit in your tooth
While these possible signs could be indications that you have a cavity, they also relate to other oral health problems. The best way to spot and treat a cavity is to visit your dentist for regular check-ups – every six months. Your dentist will be able to conduct a thorough exam and provide the best treatment based on their findings.
How Do You Prevent Cavities?
Good oral and dental hygiene habits are the best way to prevent cavities.
Brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
Floss daily to remove plaque from between your teeth and on the gum line
Eliminate starchy and sugary foods from your diet
Drink water throughout the day to remove food debris and produce saliva
Rinse with a fluoride mouthwash
Visit your dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and exam
Ask your dentist about sealants – a protective coating applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth
Cavity Treatment at Roseman Dental
Nearly 25 percent of Americans have untreated dental cavities. Untreated cavities could cause severe pain and infection, as well as problems with eating and speaking. Proper, timely dental treatment is essential to your oral health and overall well-being.
Treatment depends on the severity of the decay and your unique situation. Your dentist may recommend any of the following treatments:
Fluoride treatment
Filling
Crown
Root canal
Tooth extraction
If you notice any of the possible signs mentioned or haven’t visited the dentist in a while, make an appointment with Roseman Dental today. Roseman Dental offers affordable, high-quality dental care in Henderson, Nevada and South Jordan, Utah.
July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month. Cleft and craniofacial conditions affect thousands of infants, children, teens and adults in the United States each year. Some children are born with congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate, others with more complex, life-threatening craniofacial conditions. Some are burned; others are injured in accidents and animal attacks or diagnosed with various oral/head/neck and skin diseases. According to the American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association, 1 in 700 children are born with cleft each year. At Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, our team, led by Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AEODO) Program Director, Dr. Glen Roberson, works with patients that are only a few days old, babies who are born with issues that impact their ability to feed and thrive. With early intervention and use of a variety of techniques in orthodontia and dentofacial orthopedics, these young patients can be put on a track towards recovery. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics does this for patients at no cost – and has donated over $500,000 in care to be able to treat any patient, regardless of their ability to pay. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics is one of the very few clinics in Nevada to provide this highly specialized care.
During this Summer issue of Dental 360°, you’ll learn about how Roseman Dental & Orthodontics treats cleft lip and palate in infants through an approach that utilizes a Nasoalveolar Molding also known as a NAM. You’ll also learn about cavities and why you might have them. In addition, we’ll provide you a few tips for keeping a healthy summer smile.
Roseman Dental & Orthodontics’ Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, orthodontists, orthodontic residents – 30 to be exact, and dental residents all focused on you and your family’s oral health. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics has been serving its community since 2009 and is a comprehensive, one-stop shop for all your dental needs including dental, orthodontic and craniofacial cleft lip & palate treatment.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you in September.
July is National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month. Cleft and craniofacial conditions affect thousands of infants, children, teens and adults in the United States each year. Some children are born with congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate, others with more complex, life-threatening craniofacial conditions. Some are burned; others are injured in accidents and animal attacks or diagnosed with various oral/head/neck and skin diseases. According to the American Cleft Palate – Craniofacial Association, 1 in 700 children are born with cleft each year. At our Nevada location, Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, our team, led by Advanced Education in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AEODO) Program Director, Dr. Glen Roberson, works with patients that are only a few days old, babies who are born with issues that impact their ability to feed and thrive. With early intervention and use of a variety of techniques in orthodontia and dentofacial orthopedics, these young patients can be put on a track towards recovery. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics does this for patients at no cost – and has donated over $500,000 in care to be able to treat any patient, regardless of their ability to pay. Roseman Dental & Orthodontics is one of the very few clinics in Nevada to provide this highly specialized care.
During this Summer issue of Dental 360°, you’ll learn about our Back to School Brush-Up™ event where we will be providing free dental screenings and cleanings to children K-12. Also, you’ll learn how our Nevada location, Roseman Dental & Orthodontics, treats cleft lip and palate in infants through an approach that utilizes a Nasoalveolar Molding also known as a NAM. In addition, you’ll learn about cavities and why you might have them and we’ll provide you a few tips for keeping a healthy summer smile.
Roseman Dental’s Dental 360° is a monthly e-newsletter. Each month you’ll receive a panoramic view of dental health. Dental health is key to your overall health and here at Roseman Dental, we are dedicated to improving not only your mouth, but your whole self. At our clinic we have an excellent team of licensed dentists, dental residents and students, and dental assistants and hygienists all focused on you and your family’s oral health. We offer comprehensive care, are a one-stop shop for all your dental needs and offer dental care at a cost typically lower than what you would find at a traditional dental office. Roseman Dental has been serving its community since 2011 and we look forward to continuing to serve you and your family.
We hope you find Dental 360° helpful and informative. We look forward to connecting with you in September.
Summer sun brings summer fun. While warm months are perfect for spending time together, summer vacation can also throw off your usual dental routine. Here are three ways to prevent summertime tooth decay:
Stay on a routine
Whether your kids are staying up to catch fireflies or a fireworks show, resist the temptation to skip brushing before a late bedtime—or let it slide when they sleep in the next morning. “Don’t forget about your smile over the summer,” says ADA pediatric dentist Dr. Mary Hayes. “It’s important for families to consistently brush and floss, which keeps kids on track for healthy back-to-school dental visits.”
No matter how eventful the upcoming months become, supervise that they are brushing twice a day for 2 minutes with fluoride toothpaste. Simple things like brushing calendars can help everyone stay on track over the summer. Plus, it’s a chance to spend more time together. Brushing alongside your children for 2 minutes, twice a day for the three months of summer gives you 6 extra hours together, so make the most of them!
And don’t forget to clean between those teeth once a day. “Your children should be flossing between any two teeth that touch,” Dr. Hayes says. “However, many kids don’t have motor skills to floss until they are over 10 years old.” If your child needs help, try different types of interdental cleaners or put your hands over theirs to guide them and get the job done at the same time.
Say no to sugary drinks and snacks
As the temperature rises, it’s common for families to sip and snack during sports tournaments, festivals or nearly any community event. “Watch your family’s intake of lemonade, juice and soda,” says Dr. Hayes. “Consider sugary drinks treats to enjoy once in a while, and not often.” Instead, offer water (even better if it has fluoride) to beat the heat, or milk to drink with meals. And, don’t let summertime grazing damage your child’s smile. “Taking a break from snacking is healthy for your teeth,” says Dr. Hayes. “It allows time for saliva to bathe the teeth, wash away leftover food and get stronger.”
If you find yourself spending more time at home, snack smarter, and let your children tell you when they’re hungry instead of offering snacks throughout the day. “They’re not afraid to let you know when they want something to eat!” she says.
Make your back-to-school dental visit early
Some schools require back-to-school dental visits for certain grades, and these checkups can be a good way to be sure your child’s teeth stayed healthy. It is a good idea to make your child’s back-to-school appointment early in the summer to avoid the August rush and help insure you get the appointment time that works best for you. “We can help spot and take care of any issues, so your child doesn’t have to miss class once school starts,” Dr. Hayes says. “Visiting the dentist regularly can help your child’s smile stay healthy all year long.”
Contact us today to schedule your children’s back-to-school visits. The start of the school year will be here before you know it.
