Signs of a cavity and how to avoid them

According to our dentists, oral cavities are one of the most common health problems faced by the majority of patients they see. Don’t let this alarm you. Cavities are treatable and with the proper techniques you can drastically reduce the chances of you ever getting a cavity. However, do you know what the warning signs are? You may not, because a cavity is not always easy to detect right away. If left untreated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss.

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a hole in your tooth that can get bigger and deeper over time if not properly treated.

How does a cavity develop?

When your tooth is exposed to acid frequently, this will cause the enamel to break down. As the enamel continues to break down, it allows the bacteria to cling to your teeth causing small white spots to form on your teeth. This is the first warning sign that a cavity may be developing. If the tooth decay process continues, this will form the cavity.

The Canadian Dental Association mentions that these are signs of a cavity:

  • Toothaches and/or spontaneous pain
  • Tooth sensitivity
  • Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
  • Visible holes or pits in your teeth
  • Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth
  • Pain when you bite down
  • White spots on your teeth

How to reduce the chances of getting a cavity:

  • Chew Sugar Free Gum
  • Consume Vitamin D
  • Brush with a fluoride toothpaste
  • Cut down on sugary foods and snacks
  • Gently brush your gums as well to keep them healthy
  • Maintain your dental regimen by sticking with your oral care schedule of visiting the dentist two times a year

How to treat a cavity

Treatment depends on how bad the cavity is. Most often, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of your tooth with a drill. They’ll then fill the hole with a filling made of either silver alloy, gold, porcelain, or a composite resin…all safe materials.

The best way to spot and properly diagnose a cavity is through regular dental exams. If you think you or a family member may have an oral cavity and you have not seen a dentist in more than six months, we highly recommend booking an appointment with at any of our locations to speak to a dental professional.

Five Tips for Teaching Your Kids Better Dental Habits

Healthy teeth are important to your child’s overall health because it helps set good oral health habits as your child grows. If dental care for kids is overlooked, it can lead to infection, disease, or other teeth problems. Because children live by their parents’ example, it’s best to teach them the best habits from early on as this will help shape their behavior during future cleanings and will also affect whether or not they will stick with other good dental habits.

Here are a few strategies you can try to help teach good oral health habits.

Show…don’t tell

Your toddler or child should see you brushing your teeth every morning and evening. Alter your routine so they can be present during this time. You can also find YouTube videos of children the same age as your child having a good time using a toothbrush. Kids love having a peer to relate to when they are learning a new skill.

Make it a fun habit

One easy way to encourage good dental health for kids so that it turns into a lifelong habit is to look for ways to make it enjoyable. A few easy ways to do this is:

  • Finding a children’s toothpaste flavor that your child enjoys…better yet, let them choose their own toothpaste.
  • Reward them for brushing and flossing and keep track of your child’s daily brushing and flossing habits. After a week of consistent brushing (for example), let them choose a board game or select their favorite meal for supper.
  • Read books or watch fun YouTube videos that talk about dental hygiene.

Refrain from sugars and juice

Children under the age of three should not be drinking juice as it’s not a healthy alternative to water and can lead to tooth decay before their adult teeth start growing.

Make your child’s dental regimen a priority

Because most children aren’t too familiar with putting objects other than food into their mouths they’re most likely to become fussy as they don’t know the concept of brushing their teeth. Do not cave…make it clear that dental hygiene is not a choice because if good practices aren’t instilled early, you’ll have a much more difficult time as a parent enforcing proper habits when they’re older.

Tips on how to encourage your child if there is a struggle with them brushing their teeth

  • Be patient.
  • Reward your child for good oral care. Offer something healthy or simple like apple slices or a gold star.
  • Don’t wait until too late in the day. Try to avoid brushing your child’s teeth right before bedtime. If its too late, they may be too tired which will cause more stress. Tip: try to do it 30 minutes after their last meal. 

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Fast Facts on Oral Abscesses

What is an oral abscess?

An oral abscess is an infection at the root of the tooth or between the gum and a tooth. It’s a result of tooth decay and erosion, which is caused by cavities or poor oral health habits. It creates buildup of pus that forms inside the teeth, gums or throat.

There are three types of abscesses:

  • Gingival abscesses: residing only in the gum tissue, this type of abscess does not affect the tooth or the periodontal ligament.
  • Periodontal abscesses: this abscess starts in the supporting bone tissue structures of the teeth.
  • Periapical abscess: this abscess commences in the soft pulp of the tooth.

Oral Abscess Causes:

Oral abscesses are caused by bacterial infections that have accumulated in the soft pulp of the tooth.  The soft pulp of the tooth contains blood vessels, nerves and connective tissue.

Other factors that may cause oral abscesses:

  • Poor dental hygiene:  Not taking proper care of your teeth and gums (i.e. such as not brushing your teeth twice a day and not flossing) can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, tooth abscess, and other dental and mouth complications.
  • High sugar intake:  Frequently eating and drinking foods rich in sugar can contribute to dental cavities and turn into a tooth abscess.

Oral Abscess Symptoms:

The main symptom of a dental abscess is pain. The pain is quite unbearable, gets worst with time and may radiate to your ear, jawbone and neck.

Other symptoms may include:

  • Pain in the affected area when biting or touching it
  • Sensitivity to cold or hot food and liquids
  • Foul taste in the mouth
  • Fever
  • General unwell feeling
  • Difficulty opening the mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing

Oral Abscess Treatment:

It’s important to know that dental abscesses do not go away without proper dental treatment. They can spread leading to more serious illnesses like sinus tracts  or fistulas, cysts and sepsis – a potentially life-threatening complication when bacteria from your mouth spreads to other parts of your body. Therefore you should see a dentist sooner rather than later to begin treatment.

Step one: Diagnosis
Your dentist will start by diagnosing the severity of the abscess by probing your teeth which would most likely cause pain if you have an abscessed tooth. They’ll ask you to close your mouth, bite down, as well as check your gums and jawlines to see if they are swollen and red from infection. X-rays may also be required to check for erosion and decay of the bone around the abscess.

Step two: Treatment 

Treatment involves draining the pus from the abscess.  This is the only way to remove the infection and prevent any further complications. Your dentist will start by removing any debris in your periodontal pocket through scaling and root planing (a procedure that  removes plaque and tartar from above and beneath the gum line). Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may involve tooth extraction or root canal surgery.

With early treatment, the outlook for a gum abscess is positive.  If left untreated, however, a gum abscess can worsen and lead to a potentially life-threatening infection. Visit any of our offices to speak with our dentists if you develop any pain, swelling, or discharge in your gums.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.

Does Chewing Gum Replace Brushing Your Teeth?

If you’ve heard the rumours that chewing gum is as effective as brushing your teeth, you’re not completely wrong.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA), sugarless gum containing xylitol helps prevent tooth decay, especially after eating. More than just freshening your breath, chewing gum can also help improve your oral health.  These are just a few benefits of sugarless gum.

Benefits of chewing sugarless gum:

Studies from the  University of Groningen in the Netherlands have found that:

  • Chewing gum prevents cavities. Chewing gum increases your salivary flow which helps wash away or neutralize harmful acids in your mouth.
  • A single piece of gum can trap up to 100 million bacteria which is about 10 per cent of the bacteria in your mouth. This means there is less bacteria in your mouth and ultimately less plaque.
  • Chewing gum reduces tooth sensitivity. It can also reduce tooth sensitivity caused by whitening treatments.
  • Chewing gum strengthens tooth enamel.

Does chewing gum replace brushing/flossing?

Not at all. Chewing gum is great if you can’t brush immediately following eating or drinking, but it should never be used as a replacement. You should keep up with a good oral health regime – brushing and flossing twice daily and regular dental checkups.

What Are the Five Most Common Dental Problems?

You can’t be healthy without good oral or dental health. According to Dental Hygiene Canada, Canadians spend approximately $13 billion dollars a year on oral health care, diseases, and injuries that are almost all preventable. The good news is brushing twice a day, flossing, eating properly and regular dental check-ups are essential steps in preventing dental problems. Educating yourself about common dental problems and their causes can also go a long way in prevention. Here is a list of five common dental problems.

1. Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is one of the most prevalent dental issues in Canada. More commonly known as cavities, tooth decay starts when plaque stays on teeth for too long. Although anyone can have cavities, children and older adults are at the most risk.

2. Gingivitis

Found in the gum’s crevices, gingivitis is also known as early gum disease. Swelling, inflammation and bleeding gums are signs you should look out for. Immediate treatment is very important so that it does not develop into periodontal disease.

3. Periodontal Disease

According to Colgate, periodontal disease is found in about 8 out of 10 adults. Periodontal diseases are infections of the structures around the teeth. These include the gums, the cementum that covers the root of a tooth, the periodontal ligament and the alveolar bone. In the earliest stage of periodontal disease, the infection affects only the gums. In more severe forms of periodontal disease, it causes infections which attack the gum tissue and the tooth ligament.

4. Oral Cancer

More than 43,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancers this year, and more than 8,000 will die from it, according to the Oral Cancer Foundation. Your chance of getting oral cancer increases as you get older and is very often linked to smoking and heavy alcohol use. Recently, the number of cases has risen because doctors have discovered that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can also cause oral cancer.

5. Tooth Overcrowding

Are you noticing that food is getting stuck in new places in your mouth or that crowded teeth are now overlapping even more? While an unattractive smile is not technically a dental problem, it is a major reason why many patients seek dental treatment. According to Dr. Lee Graber, Past President of the American Orthodontics Association, as you age, your teeth shift. This can be problematic, not because you’ll look different, but because it can make your teeth more difficult to clean. When your teeth are difficult to clean, you are more likely to get tooth decay. It’s also of concern because misaligned teeth can lead to teeth erosion and damage to the supporting tissue and bone.

Regular dental visits accompanied with good oral hygiene means all of these diseases can be prevented. If you’re diligent with both your oral hygiene and dental visits you are likely to prevent one or more of these diseases.

If you would like to learn more, please do not hesitate to give us a call or contact us to book an appointment.