Goblins and Ghosts!

OCTOBER 2011



This time of year brings many reminders of too much sugar and the damage it can do to your teeth. Trick or Treat! I, for one, always think of this time of year and cavities! We actually do not repair any more cavities in the fall than we do any other time of year – but, Halloween makes me think cavities. We are very good at finding cavities in this day and age. So if you visit your dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, it is unlikely that a cavity will get out of hand.

If you do have a cavity, and it is just that, the following or something similar will take place.

•   First, the dentist will numb the area around the tooth to be filled with a local anesthetic. Next, a drill or laser will be used to remove the decayed area of the tooth.

•   Next, the dentist will probe or test the area during the decay removal process to determine if all the decay has been removed. Once the decay has been removed, your dentist will prepare the space for the filling by cleaning the cavity of bacteria and debris. If the decay is near the nerve, the dentist may first put in a liner that acts as an insolator to protect the nerve. Generally, after the filling is in, your dentist will finish and polish it.

•   Several additional steps are required for tooth-colored fillings.

Today, several dental filling materials are available to fill the space left by the decay removal. Teeth can be filled with gold; porcelain; silver amalgam or tooth-colored materials called composite resin fillings. The location and extent of the decay, cost of filling material, patients’ insurance coverage, and the dentist’s recommendation assist in determining the type of filling that will best address your needs.

This is really a fabulous time of year for kids of all ages. While it is difficult to always be near to warn about foods your child may eat, it is really beneficial to make flossing, brushing and even rinsing with a mouth cleaner a regular part of your child’s daily routine. Good habits of daily oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist will make a world of difference
in your kids’ overall health and in the fight against cavities.

*The American Dental Association contributed factual information to this article.