Do you know what a cavity is? Have you ever had a cavity?
I have to be honest I know that people get cavities but I didn’t really know how or why you get them. I know that a cavity is a hole in your tooth that the dentist always wants to fix. I don’t know about you but I don’t like to hear it when the dentist tells me, “OH I see you have a cavity!” So I did a little research of my own to find out exactly what is a cavity and why do people get them. Let us start with the definition of a cavity.
Cavity – is a hole. The cavity or hole develops when a tooth decays or breaks down. The hole can grow deeper and deeper over time.
You may be thinking “How do you get that hole?” I have found that our teeth have an outer layer called enamel which protects the tooth. The bacteria in your mouth create acid and when you eat the acid and food turns into plaque (sticky, slimy substance) that clings to your teeth. The acid starts to eat away at the enamel; breaking down your tooth.
So now we know what a cavity is and why and how we get them. Having a cavity can also be very painful especially when you eat or drink something. There are many different ways to prevent cavities, so let’s talk about how to properly care for your teeth.
1. Brushing your teeth! My dentist tells me that we should brush our teeth after every meal but least 2 times a day.
2. Brush in a circular motion – When you brush you should brush up and down, in a circular motion, making sure to get the teeth in the back! Also gently brush your gums, as it helps keeps them healthy as well.
3. Fluoride toothpaste- Brushing with fluoride helps prevent cavities.
4. Flossing- My dentist tells me to floss at least once a day. When you floss you can get where your toothbrush can’t go.
5. Eating the right foods- Make sure you are eating the right snacks that are healthy and that help build strong teeth. Not a lot of sugars or sodas or sweet treats!
6. See your Dentist- Make sure that you are seeing the Dentist at least 2 times a year. I get a cleaning every 6 months!
It is very important to keep your teeth healthy! Healthy teeth make for a healthy happy smile! A smile filled with cavity less teeth! You can do it
Written by: Trish Holfelder
Mother of 5 and owner of Free Tooth Fairy Letter.
