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| That's
the word no one wants to hear at the dentist's office. A cavity
develops when a tooth decays , or breaks down. A cavity is a hole
that can grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are also called
dental caries , and if you have a cavity, it's important to get
it repaired. |
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When it comes to cavities, bacteria are public enemy number #1.
Our mouths, teeth and toothbrushes are full of bacteria which settle
on our teeth in plaque, a goo of proteins, saliva, and food debris.
Violight can remove the bacteria from our toothbrushes but our teeth
are a problem. Here bacteria devour food particles left on our teeth.
Ungrateful guests, these bacteria produce acid as a by-product of
their feasting. It is this acid which eats into the tooth enamel
creating cavities. |
| If
you don't go to the dentist, the acids can continue to make their
way through the enamel, and the inside parts of your tooth can begin
to decay. If you've ever had a toothache or heard an adult complain
about one, it may have been because there was a cavity that reached
all the way inside a tooth, where the nerve endings are. Ouch!
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| Your
dentist will carefully examine your teeth and may take X-rays. If
your dentist discovers a cavity, he or she can repair it for you
by first removing the rotted part of your tooth with a special drill.
The dentist then fills the hole in your tooth with a special material.
It's called a filling. |
| Though
cavities can be repaired, try to avoid them by taking care of your
teeth. Here's how: |
#
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after each time you eat
or at least twice a day. Bedtime is an important time to brush.
# Brush up and down in a circular motion.
# Gently brush your gums as well to keep them healthy.
# Floss your teeth once a day to remove plaque and food that's stuck
between your teeth.
# Limit sweets and sugary drinks, like soda.
# See your dentist twice a year for regular checkups. We hope you'll
hear those two wonderful words: "No cavities!" .
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