Are cavities a big deal? also how many is it normal to have?
I'm 15 and just got my very first cavities (two of them). After talking to my friends, some have had a lot of cavities before, and others haven't had any. Whether cavities are a big deal or not depends on your point of view and overall health. I would say it's normal to have about 2, like I have.
Why does everyone make a big deal about cavities?
There are many reasons why people make a big deal about cavities. It does seem like fillings are a pretty easy fix, but fillings are poor substitutes for your natural tooth structure. When you get a filling, the dentist excavates the rotten part of your tooth (this is the "drilling" part). The rotten tooth structure is a lot like the inside of a pumpkin - mushy and soft. Once this rotten part is removed, the dentist puts in a filling material to build your tooth back up. You can get resin (the white one) or amalgam (the silver one). Neither resin nor amalgam are great insulators, and all of a sudden your tooth is missing some of its natural insulation (enamel and dentin). The nerve that is in the very middle of your tooth is now more likely to be sensitive to cold and sweets. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain a good seal between the filling material and the tooth. This means that bacteria can get in the microscopic spaces between your filling and your tooth, and cause new cavities. For this reason, fillings often need to be replaced, and gradually get bigger and bigger. Resins are especially susceptible to leakage at the margins, and are replaced much more often than amalgams. When a filling gets very deep, or cavities get very deep, the nerve at the middle of your tooth may become damaged and die. This can be very, very painful. To fix a dying nerve, you must get a root canal and a crown placed on your tooth, or have the tooth extracted. This doesn't mean that every tooth you have that gets a filling will end up needing a root canal and a crown, but the earlier you start getting cavities, and the bigger your cavities are, the more likely it is that you will need more and more dental work down the road (and it can get very expensive). Implants are wonderful replacements for missing teeth, but nothing is as good as your natural teeth. Your adult teeth need to last you the rest of your life, so take good care of them! Brush every morning and every night before bed, and floss every night to make sure you get the bacteria out from between your teeth that can't be reached by toothbrushes. Avoid drinking too many sugary and acidic drinks, and keep on seeing your dentist regularly so any failing restorations can be replaced and any beginning cavities can be stopped in their tracks. I hope this helps!
Is it a big deal that I have a cavity?
Ok dont freak out. I have had a cavity before, just brush more. I dont know about filling though, I went to a place where they use a lazer and just zap your tooth. But alot of people say it hurts, but you can get over it right? Pain dosent last forever. Also consider changing your tooth paste, or getting one of those fancy tooth brushes. I did that and it worked. I hope this helps!
Is this a big deal? cavity?
it is certainly no big deal at all, don't stress. My dentist said I have small cavities forming between my lower back teeth. She said they were only in the enamel. She prescribed me Prevident toothpaste and told me to floss it in between my teeth and said they could even heal. if they can't heal, as long as you brush your teeth and floss every once in a while, they certainly won't get any bigger! like you said it's soooo small, so you shouldn't be worried at all. you should still be very proud that you've made it to 14 without a cavity! and when you get one its so small you don't even need a filling?! that's something to be proud of.. anyway, you definitely shouldn't be upset because it is no big deal.
I have 8 cavities! Please help!?
You are eating or drinking something acidic or witha sugar and letting it stay on the surface of your teeth between brushings. Most people have fillings. It is not a big deal. The dentist will numb your mouth with Novocaine. Then drill and fill. The root canal is the same except that it will take longer. If your folks get angry with you for having dental problems then shame on them for not getting you to the dentist earlier.
How serious are cavities?
I'm 15 and unfortunately have cavities. I have a few which I found odd because I've improved my oral care lately (brushing twice a day instead of once, and occasionally rinsing and flossing). I know it's not that great, but it's better than before when I had no cavities. Go figure. I was just wondering how much cavities will impact my life. I know that fillings fall out and need to be replaced. How ofter? I'm getting composite resin fillings (teeth colored ones). I'm not sure if I should think of this as a huge deal or not.