Fighting Cavities - Oral Health Care

Oral health care is pretty easy to maintain, but when it's not it usually results in tooth decay and cavities. Cavities are the most common oral health care issue, besides gingivitis, and can really affect a person's oral health.

Oral health care must be maintained by children and adults alike in order to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth structure and is the main cause of cavities. It can affect both the outer layer of the tooth, the enamel, and the dentin layer of the tooth. Tooth decay is caused when foods containing sugars and starches are left on the teeth.

Most food, including soda, milk, fruit, cake, candy, cereal, bread, etc can cause tooth decay and eventually cavities. Bacteria live in the mouth and combines with saliva and food debris to form plaque. Plaque sticks to the teeth and dissolves the enamel on the surface of teeth. It eventually starts creating holes on the teeth called cavities. This is why brushing your teeth is very important. It helps people maintain proper oral health care. Most people get checked for cavities every time they visit their dentist. Cavities usually come with sensitivity and discoloration, making it easy for the patient and dentist to spot them.

People experience toothache when consuming sweet, hot and cold food or drinks. This is how they know they might have a cavity. A dentist can spot bad oral health care once a patient sits in the dental chair. Cavities are easily spotted by the dentist themselves, or with an x-ray. Cavities are treated in a couple of different ways. If the tooth decay isn't extensive, the decayed part of the tooth is taken out by drilling and is replaced with what is called a filling. Fillings are one of the most common oral health care procedures performed by dentists. Fillings are usually made with silver alloy, porcelain, gold or more recently, a composite resin. There are concerns about mercury based silver, but public oral health care agencies support the safety of that material.

If the cavities show extensive decay and there is little tooth structure, the crown will be needed. Crowns are also a very common oral health care procedure. Basically, the decayed area of the tooth is removed entirely and repaired. A crown is then fitted over the remainder of the tooth. Crowns are made from porcelain or gold. But cavities can also cause the nerve or pulp of the tooth to die, calling for an oral health care procedure called a root canal. During a root canal, the center of the tooth is removed, along with the decaying portions. The root is then sealed with a filling material. Oral health care professionals are also coming up with different ways to detect cavities including fluorescent light, x-rays and new dental examinations.

Oral health care is extremely important. If you do not take care of your teeth there could be big health risks. It's always important to brush your teeth when you wake up in the morning, after meals and before bed. This reduces the plaque which causes cavities.