Why do Cavities Happen?

We've all been there before – sitting in the dentist chair when they say "you've got a cavity."

You cant help but wonder why or what caused it, but we are all too familiar with them.

Cavities happen to everyone, from babies to adults over the age of 40. The threat of having cavities is not something people will outgrow.

Most of the causes of cavities are from different strains of bacteria including:

Lactobacillus acidophilus - A bacteria that houses itself on the surfaces of your chewing teeth also known as your molars, this bacteria causes rampant tooth decay in children between the ages of 2 and 12.

Streptococcus has 6 strains of bacteria that attack the smooth sides of your teeth. This can lead to cavities on the sides of your teeth which are harder to detect.

When you are told that eating sugar causes cavities it is very true, and here is how it works. The streptococcus bacteria feeds on sugar that accumulates in your mouth, which in turn creates acid. The acid inside your mouth works on your teeth to weaken the enamel. Your body has a natural mechanism to neutralize the acid by producing saliva but that does not take effect for at least twenty minutes. Within those twenty minutes is when cavities are being formed.

The longer that sugar and acid stay on your teeth the more they can ruin the enamel and enamel does not regenerate itself.

Some easy ways to avoid getting cavities include; not eating or drinking before bed time, not eating candy everyday or multiple times a day, and definitely do not skip bed time brushing

Crowns: The What , Why, and How

What is a crown?

A dental crown can be considered as a tooth replacement, it is an artificial and hollow cap that is placed on top of your tooth. It looks very natural so you don’t have to worry about it being extremely noticeable. It restores the appearance, shape, and function of a regular tooth.

Types of Crowns

• Metal – Usually made of gold. These crowns last very long and will not chip or break, the downside is that the colour does not look natural
• Ceramic or Porcelain – These options look the most natural. They are mostly used on the front teeth because they chip more often
• Composite – Also looks natural, this crown is not as prone to chipping as the porcelain but brushing removes the polished surface which may cause it to stain more easily 

Why would my child need a crown?

Some reasons that a parent should look into getting a dental crown for their child would be the following:

• Your child's tooth is severely damaged but not completely lost 
• A tooth is misshapen or badly discoloured 
• Holding together a tooth that is cracked or weakened from decay 
• Restoring a worn down tooth 
• Guiding permanent teeth into position
  

Is it worth it ?

Dental crowns should last about 10 to 20 years, so the process is absolutely worth it to keep your child's smile looking perfect.

Tips for Your Child's First Visit

Follow these steps to make your child feel more at ease for his or her first dental visit.

Try to bring your child to the dentist as young as possible, that way they will get more comfortable with the visits.

Try and be obscure when telling your child about the dentist and what will be done at the appointment. Leave it to the dentist to sugar coat the procedures he will be performing.

Before heading to the dentist don’t use words like shots, pain, or hurt. The misconception that the dentist is scary has been around forever, use positive phrases like strong and healthy to make the dentist seem less scary.

Role play with your child before you go to the dentist. Do some activities such as counting each tooth by number or letter to give them a feel for what the dentist might do. Teach your child how to brush appropriately as well.

There are a ton of kid friendly TV shows like Dora the Explorer, or Sponge-Bob Square Pants that have episodes about visiting the dentist. Watching these with your child can help relieve them from any fears they may have. There are also books with similar content you can read together.

If you can, avoid bringing your son or daughter to your own dentist appointment. Kids dental offices are designed to look much friendlier than an adults. Your child may get the wrong impression and be afraid.

Last but not least, teach your child that visiting the dentist is not a choice, it is a necessity. They will thank you in the future.

For great pediatric and orthodontic dental care visit the Woodbridge Kids Dentistry

Teeth Sensitivity

If you notice that your child's teeth hurt when they've eaten or drank something that is hot or cold they could have sensitive teeth. Teeth sensitivity happens when the root of a tooth, or the dentin, which is the middle layer under the enamel, is exposed.

Dentin is home to these tiny openings called tubules, and inside each of the tubules is a nerve branch that comes from the center of the tooth. When the dentin is unprotected, pressure and temperature affects the nerve branches and that is what is causing your child's teeth to hurt.

Sensitive teeth can happen for a variety of reasons including but not limited to; brushing teeth too hard, poor oral hygiene, untreated cavities, old fillings, or receding gums that expose the roots.

There are many ways to help your child deal with sensitive teeth. Specific toothpastes are made for sensitivity that begin to work within 1 to 10 weeks. You can also start by having your child use a soft bristled brush so that they are damaging less of the enamel on their teeth when they brush. Buying products like a mouthwash with fluoride that can help to strengthen the tooth’s surface are beneficial as well. Also try to keep your child away from acidic foods that erode teeth and cause sensitivity.

Make sure your child is visiting the dentist on a regular basis to ensure that it is nothing more severe than sensitivity. Also take your child to visit the dentist if a singular tooth is sensitive or if they have pain lasting more than an hour.