Since you are examined for cavities at each of your six month dental checkups, you probably figure you know all there is to know about tooth decay. The Corona dentists at Dental Associates of Corona would like to challenge you, however, and see if you really are an expert on the dental infection better known as cavities.
Questions
Q1. True or False – Sugar is the leading cause of cavities.
Q2. True or False – The first sign of a tooth decay is severe pain.
Q3. True or False – Untreated cavities require tooth extraction.
Q4. True or False – You were born with the bacteria which causes cavities.
Answers
A1. FALSE – Sugar contributes to tooth decay, but the key element in the cavity equation is a germ called Streptococcus mutans. This strain of bacteria that mixes with food particles to create dental plaque. You can reduce plaque production by simply avoiding sugar in your diet. You see, S. mutans feed on sucrose to produce lactic acid. This is why so many people are under the false assumption that sugar, itself, causes cavities.
A2. FALSE – Mild cavities aren’t always accompanied by symptoms. Discomfort or pain generally comes from advanced stages of decay and infection. This is the point when your dentin beneath the tooth enamel has been more deeply infiltrated by germs. Daily brushing and flossing at home can help prevent cavities from beginning.
A3. TRUE – You may have dental fillings in your mouth from prior cavities, but if they weren’t caught in time by your dentist, more invasive procedures might have been the recommendation. When infection from cavities gets into the root of your tooth, a root canal procedure is necessary to clear out the bacteria and reshape the canals. If the infection spreads, your dentist might eventually have to pull out the entire tooth.
A4. FALSE – We are born with mouths which are free of bacteria. S. Mutans are contagious germs. We generally contract S. mutans them from our parents or caregivers when we are still little babies. Kissing, sharing drinks, and blowing on food can transmit the pathogens from one mouth to another. Bacteria are able to survive in a baby’s mouth long before their first teeth even erupt, lurking and ready to pounce.
Dental Checkups from Corona Dentists
To schedule a dental checkup with your Corona dentists, contact our 92879 dentist office today by calling (951) 273-9580. We offer preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry to ensure optimum oral health, and we welcome patients from Corona and surrounding communities.
Recent Comments