Most of us have had a cavity at one point in our lives. Luckily, they’re treatable with the right care; however, this doesn’t make them any less of a nuisance. While most of us get cavities in the teeth towards the backs of our mouths, is this the only at risk area? Let’s dive deeper into cavities to determine if all our teeth are at risk.

Cavities and Teeth

Humans have four main types of teeth. The front teeth are called incisors. There are four incisors on the top jaw (called the maxilla) and four on the bottom (called the mandible). Next to the incisors, on either side, is a canine tooth. These are on the top and bottom too. Next, come two premolars on either side, top, and bottom. Finally, at the very back of the top and bottom jaw are three molars on each side.

Most cavities occur in the molars and premolars. Their rough surfaces make it easier for them to grind up food when chewing. The bumpy, uneven surface is a perfect place for food particles to stick. If those pieces of food don’t get cleaned away with brushing and flossing, their acids can eat away at teeth, causing cavities. Unfortunately, it can be hard to reach some of these spots while brushing, making them prone to cavities.

Since incisors are the easiest to reach and naturally smoother than back teeth, cleaning them is easier. This makes cavities less likely on the front teeth, but they are still possible.

How does a cavity form?

A cavity forms when acids and sugars combine with bacteria in the mouth. They build up on teeth to form a sticky substance called plaque. If the plaque stays there long enough, it will start to eat away at the hard, outer layer of the tooth called the enamel.

The resulting hole is called a cavity. It can be shallow and only impact the enamel, or it can keep decaying the tooth and go deeper. If it reaches the softer part of the tooth beneath the enamel called the dentin, it will grow and spread even faster. Eventually, it might get to the pulp chamber. This is the root that’s filled with blood vessels and nerves. At this point, the bacteria can cause a painful infection called an abscess.

How to diagnose a cavity?

When cavities are small, a patient might not even know they have one. They may only show up with an x-ray at the dentist’s office. As they grow, they are more likely to cause pain and discomfort. It may be hard to chew and hot or cold beverages might hurt. Sometimes, a cavity will be visible as a brown or gray mark on the tooth. This may be easy to spot if the cavity is on a front tooth.

Cavities and Adults

For adults, cavities in front teeth form for the same reasons and in the same way as cavities in any other part of the mouth. They are usually due to a combination of inadequate brushing and flossing, and a diet full of sugary, acidic food and drink. Certain medical conditions and heredity can also play a part in a person’s chances of getting cavities.

Cavities and Children

When small children get cavities on front teeth, it could be because of “baby bottle tooth decay.” Most doctors ask parents to avoid letting their infants and toddlers have a bottle overnight or for long periods during the day. This can allow the natural sugars from milk, formula, or fruit juices to linger in the mouth. The result is bacteria that can cause cavities in baby teeth. Even though baby teeth eventually fall out, they are extremely important to a child’s dental development. Cavities at a young age can interfere with chewing and talking.

Good dental care should start even before teeth pop up, with wiping a baby’s gums. Brushing should become routine when teeth appear. The first trip to the dentist should be within six months of that time, or around the baby’s first birthday.

Nadine Smith

The post Can You Get Cavities on Your Front Teeth? appeared first on Semiahmoo Dental Centre.

Oral health is an important part of overall physical well-being. And part of that health care consists of dental cleanings.

We sometimes get asked if teeth cleanings are really that necessary. Some people feel like they are constantly coming to the dentist (even though it’s really only twice a year). For some people, going to the dentist can produce anxiety and it can bring up a lot of fear. For others, it feels like overkill to have to go so often, especially if they have good brushing and flossing habits.

However, it is important to keep in mind that the dentist is here to assist in your well-being and health. Not to torture you and not to waste your time. Yes, it can be an uncomfortable experience, but it’s also important to note that the better your oral health habits, the easier the trips to the dentist are.

Are Teeth Cleanings Necessary?

The short answer is… yes. Let’s talk about why.

The mouth, like many parts of the body, contains bacteria. Normally it is harmless. But since the mouth is the entry point into the respiratory and digestive tracts, without proper oral care, such as daily maintenance like brushing and flossing, as well as regular dental cleanings, heavy bacteria build up in the mouth can potentially lead to sickness and disease.

Other infections can occur in the mouth from a lack of proper care, like gum disease and tooth decay. The best way to stave off or prevent these conditions is to partake in every day oral health maintenance, and to see the dentist for regularly scheduled cleanings.

Dental Cleanings = Disease Prevention

The number one reason to see your dentist or go for regular (at least once a year, hopefully twice a year) deep teeth cleaning is to keep your teeth, gums and mouth in good health, and to prevent disease from occurring or spreading.

Regular cleanings mean that your dentist has the opportunity to examine the gum-line, and the inner and outer health of the teeth. Then the dentist can see if there are the beginning signs of anything to be worried about, such as tooth decay (cavities) and periodontitis (gum disease). Both of these conditions can lead to chipped and broken teeth, or even tooth loss. They may also require more serious interventions or even surgery.

But what’s even more important to remember: they are avoidable (more or less) with good oral health habits which include regular deep teeth cleaning from the dentist.

What Is A Deep Teeth Cleaning?

A deep teeth cleaning, also known as gum therapy or gum scaling and root planing, gets between the teeth and gums all the way down to the roots. During a standard dental cleaning, the front, back, and sides of the tooth are cleaned above the gum line. During a deep teeth cleaning, the dentist continues down to the root of the tooth, below the gum-line, removing tartar and other build-up from the “pocket” that may have formed between the root of the tooth and gums.

Dental cleanings and deep teeth cleanings are both important. If you are still hesitant, or to book an appointment, give us a call and we will be happy to connect with you.

Nadine Smith

The post Why Are Regular Dental Cleanings Important? appeared first on Semiahmoo Dental Centre.

In Canada, we are fortunate to have excellent free health care for all citizens. However, our public health care does not cover the cost of seeing a dentist or having any work done like cleaning, fillings, and any kind of emergency procedures. Unless a person is covered by an extended insurance plan, they will have to pay out of pocket for their visits to the dentist and any work the dentist does.

Many people in our community of South Surrey and White Rock have dental coverage through work (or they are covered by their parent’s or spouse’s work plans), or university, or may qualify for social benefits that include dental coverage. Therefore the cost of dental work is very important to know, especially if a person does not have extended insurance.

There are many kinds of dental procedures, some are necessary to maintain good oral health, others are cosmetic to improve or change a person’s smile or the colour of their teeth. Getting a filling is one of the most common dental procedures. It is non-invasive, can be done quickly, and prevents further tooth problems down the road.

A person might need to get a filling for a number of reasons. The most common is to treat a cavity. In this case, a filling treats the cavern and prevents further damage to the tooth. Other reasons include tooth discolouration, tooth decay and degradation, and replacing older fillings. Essentially, a filling is typically used to repair minimal fractures, decay, or compromised teeth surfaces.

There are several options when it comes to the type of material and colour used, including silver and white fillings. White fillings are the most common these days because they are durable and less noticeable than silver fillings. They blend in with teeth and are not noticeable once they are in.

How Much is a White Filling Without Insurance in BC Canada?

A white filling can cost anywhere between $125 – $400. It will depend on the tooth and the condition of the existing teeth.

Other dental procedures can become very costly, so it is advised, where possible, to retain personal extended insurance to cover this cost. Unfortunately, sometimes people avoid this kind of insurance, but then the cost of either emergency dental procedures far outweighs the cost of coverage.

Oral health is very important, and staying on top of brushing and flossing will prevent further issues down the road. And regular trips for cleaning and check-ups will also help stave off costly emergency situations in the near future. Regular cleanings and visits to the dentists are a bit like getting an oil change in a car — it’s good maintenance, and an opportunity to catch problems before they become catastrophes.

Semiahmoo Dental is here to help!

If you are looking for a dentist in South Surrey or White Rock, we are happy to take on new clients. An examination is the best way to get started to see if any further work is needed at this time.

Nadine Smith

The post How Much is a White Filling (Without Insurance) in Canada? appeared first on Semiahmoo Dental Centre.