{"id":72,"date":"2017-01-10T19:38:55","date_gmt":"2017-01-10T19:38:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/?p=72"},"modified":"2017-10-04T12:34:29","modified_gmt":"2017-10-04T12:34:29","slug":"how-cavities-form-and-how-to-stop-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/blog\/how-cavities-form-and-how-to-stop-them\/","title":{"rendered":"How Cavities form &#8211; and how to stop them!"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_74\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-74\" style=\"width: 504px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/4a171a8dd2409e02d78ec88d0ff25799.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-74\" src=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/4a171a8dd2409e02d78ec88d0ff25799.jpg\" width=\"504\" height=\"504\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/4a171a8dd2409e02d78ec88d0ff25799.jpg 346w, http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/4a171a8dd2409e02d78ec88d0ff25799-150x150.jpg 150w, http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/4a171a8dd2409e02d78ec88d0ff25799-300x300.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-74\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">In this photo: A cavity has formed on tooth and decay has reached all the way to the vitality of the tooth (the pulp) and is no longer healthy and will need a root canal treatment or extraction.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>By learning these simple tips, you can prevent cavities on your own. We want the absolute best for our patients, and that means providing you with all the tools you need to build excellent oral health. Habits like smoking, and eating sugars and starches are bad news. Bacteria consume them, producing acids. These acids are harmful to enamel, and erode the outer tooth surface.<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">What is Dental Plaque?<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/250093660bb9f14dac5b1f4a8590d4bc.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-75 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/250093660bb9f14dac5b1f4a8590d4bc.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"564\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/250093660bb9f14dac5b1f4a8590d4bc.jpg 564w, http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/250093660bb9f14dac5b1f4a8590d4bc-300x160.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Plaque is a thin, sticky film of bacteria that clings to your teeth. Because the bacteria have adhered to teeth, when they produce acids, enamel becomes weakened. The first signs of cavities are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>White spot indicating loss of minerals<\/li>\n<li>Brown spot from destruction of enamel by acids<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If these spots continue to develop, they will become cavities. A cavity must be treated by a dentist and cannot be improved on your own.<\/p>\n<p><strong>You may have plaque buildup if you\u2019re noticing:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Persistent bad breath<\/li>\n<li>Fuzzy-feeling teeth<\/li>\n<li>Inflamed gums<\/li>\n<li>Bleeding gums when flossing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Why do I have plaque?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Plaque most commonly builds when patients skip brushing, especially before bed. It\u2019s crucial to remove acids before sleeping for the night when enamel is more vulnerable.<\/p>\n<h3><\/h3>\n<h3>Reduce Cavities at Home!<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use fluoride toothpaste or rinse<\/strong> \u2013 Fluoride will help remineralize teeth that have been eroded by acids. If you get the appropriate amount of fluoride from the right sources, it can only be beneficial for your teeth. Use a fluoridated toothpaste or rinse as instructed. Ask your dentist for product recommendations!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Improve your oral hygiene<\/strong>! \u2013 Better brushing and flossing will prevent plaque buildup. If you\u2019re already brushing and flossing regularly, check your techniques to make sure you\u2019re brushing more effectively. Be sure to brush your tongue, which is home to a significant amount of bacteria. \u00a0Essentially, brush 2 x per day, floss 1x per day (before bed).<a href=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/081924647377ddcff4c85204fef00b01.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-78 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/081924647377ddcff4c85204fef00b01.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"564\" height=\"512\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/081924647377ddcff4c85204fef00b01.jpg 564w, http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/081924647377ddcff4c85204fef00b01-300x272.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reduce sugars and starches<\/strong>\u2013 Cut out some of the sources of the initial problem. Try to reduce your snacking, as teeth are especially vulnerable to snacks since there\u2019s not as much saliva present to rinse away acids. Prioritize fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, nuts, and lean proteins for midday snacks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Drink more water<\/strong> \u2013 Water not only helps remove oral acids, but hydrates your body and keeps it working properly. Now is the time to swap out your daytime Coke for water, sparkling water, tea, or other non-sugary, less-acidic beverages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/3bdb9c3c84ecae2d1570f9c746e66b6f.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-73 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/3bdb9c3c84ecae2d1570f9c746e66b6f.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"564\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/3bdb9c3c84ecae2d1570f9c746e66b6f.jpg 564w, http:\/\/www.westviewclinic.ca\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/3bdb9c3c84ecae2d1570f9c746e66b6f-300x280.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 564px) 100vw, 564px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re already experiencing plaque buildup, you may have some calculus. Calculus is hardened plaque which pushes your gum tissues and bone level down. Inflamed gums can develop into gingivitis, which may progress to gum disease. Prevention is the best way to combat plaque and cavities!<\/p>\n<p>Follow the decay-reversal tips mentioned above to scrub away plaque and reset your mouth \u2013 before decay can take hold.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By learning these simple tips, you can prevent cavities on your own. We want the absolute best for our patients,[&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-72","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How Cavities form \u2013 and how to stop them!<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"By learning these simple tips, you can prevent cavities on your own. 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