Is it possible to have 11 cavities

But it's important to treat cavities in baby teeth : These first teeth serve as space holders for permanent teeth, so losing one prematurely can cause alignment problems that will need to be corrected with braces later.

Although you may worry that your little one will never sit still and open her mouth, the first dental visit will be quick. The dentist can easily spot the telltale plaque buildup along the top gum line that's a sign of mutans , and he can also do a culture to measure bacteria levels in you and your child.

A crucial way to help limit cavities—regardless of whether they run in your family—is to diligently brush and floss, which physically pushes bacteria, plaque, and sugar off the teeth. Fluoride is an essential part of dental health because it not only restores calcium to decaying teeth, but also limits the production of corrosive acid.

Even though some kids are at a much higher risk of developing cavities, all children can get them. So it's important for everyone to follow this road map for dental health.

Tame a sweet tooth. Limiting sugar —which bacteria need in order to survive—is the number-one way to prevent cavities. It's actually the frequency, not the total quantity of sugar consumption, that matters most, says Dr. For example, eating a chocolate bar all at once is less harmful to the teeth than eating one bite every hour.

That's because repeatedly exposing the teeth to sugar prevents saliva, the body's natural tooth cleanser, from doing its job. Candy isn't the only offender : Starchy carbohydrates like crackers and cereal and sticky foods such as raisins can also promote decay.

Avoid sugary drinks. Fruit juice even diluted , as well as breast milk and formula , bathe the teeth in sugar, says Ronald Kosinski, D. In fact, dentists used to call early dental caries "baby-bottle tooth decay" because it often occurs in children who drink milk or juice during the night, allowing sugar to sit on the teeth for ten or 12 hours.

The AAPD advises weaning your child from the bottle by 14 months to prevent decay—but you shouldn't let your toddler walk around all day with a Sippy cup either unless it's filled with water. Focus on fluoride. If your community's water is not fluoridated check with your dentist or municipal-water-supply board or your kids only drink non-fluoridated bottled water, talk to your pediatrician about fluoride supplements.

Too much fluoride , however, can lead to fluorosis, which causes white spots on the teeth. That's why kids under 2 or 3 shouldn't use fluoride toothpaste—they'll swallow it instead of spitting it out. Treat teeth earlier. Dentists can now apply a safe and protective fluoride varnish to young children's teeth. A study found that 1-year-olds who got this treatment twice a year were four times less likely to get cavities in their baby teeth.

Also ask your dentist about sealants, or plastic coatings that prevent decay. Some insurance plans will cover these two treatments. Take care of your own smile. If you have a history of dental problems, avoid sharing utensils or toothbrushes with your baby or toddler—or even letting him stick his fingers in your mouth.

However, it's possible to reduce levels of mutans in your mouth. Beneath the dentin lies the pulp of the tooth, which contains nerves and blood vessels. When a cavity reaches the pulp , the tooth begins to decay faster, leading to inflammation, swelling, and pain. In most cases, tooth decay that has reached the pulp of the tooth requires treatment with a root canal. Dental abscesses happen when the bacteria that causes cavities continues to spread beneath the pulp of the tooth.

These bacteria cause an infection and a pocket of pus beneath the tooth. Some abscesses go unnoticed until the pain and swelling become unbearable. Dental abscesses require immediate treatment and, in some cases, result in removal of the tooth.

Some of the factors that influence how quickly tooth decay happens include:. Symptoms of a cavity may vary from person to person and generally depend on the severity of the tooth decay.

Over time, this white spot may become a hole in the tooth. A hole in the tooth is a sign that a cavity has formed. Below, you will find some tips for how to slow or reverse the progression of a cavity in the early stages. Unfortunately, once a cavity has formed a hole in the tooth, it is no longer possible to reverse the damage and treatment will be necessary.

A cavity reaches the nerve once the decay has reached the pulp of the tooth. However, the deeper the decay buries into the tooth, the quicker the cavity will progress. At this stage, the damage to the tooth may be so severe that it cannot be saved with treatments such as a crown or root canal. In most cases, severe damage to the tooth occurs because of years of unaddressed tooth decay.

Fortunately, proper dental hygiene and regular dental checkups can save a tooth before it ever gets this bad. When this happens, the treatment options for the cavity depend on the extent of the damage to the tooth. As you can see, prevention through healthy oral hygiene is always the best method if you want to avoid extensive treatment options. While most cavities develop over a period of months or years, a lack of oral hygiene can speed up the progression of tooth decay dramatically.

Once a cavity forms it will require treatment, so maintaining good oral health and keeping up with professional cleanings can help to stop tooth decay in its tracks. Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in toddlers and children. This act of assuming is another reason for sudden cavity formation. Remember that tooth decay leads to cavities over time, meaning that cavities can be prevented with an early diagnosis of a tooth decay. Eliminating regular dental check-ups increases your chances of developing cavities.

If you have never had issues with cavities but you get one without warning, there is something you are not doing right. All it takes is reevaluating lifestyle and habits, and coming to a solution to what is causing your new and abrupt cavities. Are you eating differently than before? Are you more stressed? Are you not flossing or brushing frequently?

Are you putting dental check-ups off? The next step is to take corrective action and change! Categories Dentist Office Plano. Here are eleven reasons why people can suffer with cavities all of a sudden: 1.

Stress Stress does not just affect your mood. A Decline in Teeth Brushing This reason is obvious. Related posts. How to Find a New Dentist Read more. Comments are closed.