What Does a Cavity Look Like in a Child’s Mouth?
As a parent, you do everything you can to ensure your child is safe and happy. You catch them when they fall, make sure they have nutritious food to eat, and gently brush their teeth morning and night. And it’s worth it for those bright, happy smiles that light up your world. So when a cavity appears, it can be quite a distressing event. But what is a cavity, and how can you tell your child has one?
How to Spot a Cavity
A cavity is an area of tooth decay on the surface of the tooth, often defined by a hole. They can be caused by a buildup of plaque, poor oral hygiene, and even by eating the wrong foods, like ones that are loaded with sugar.
Besides having a good oral health routine that includes brushing at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes and flossing at least once a day, twice-yearly dental checkups are recommended. The team at We Make Kids Smile can easily spot the start of a cavity and monitor its progress if we are seeing your child frequently.
Spotting a cavity early can help the We Make Kids Smile team treat the cavity with a dental filling before it progresses into something that requires major dental intervention, like a root canal. Read on to learn more about spotting the early signs that your child might have a cavity.
Early Signs of a Cavity
A cavity starts as tooth decay, which is where the tooth’s enamel is slowly worn away, exposing the tooth to bacteria and plaque. Tooth decay can happen at any time, and keeping up with a proper dental hygiene routine is part of eliminating tooth decay.
If you are wondering what the start of a cavity looks like in your child, look for signs of white or chalky spots on their teeth. There may also be mild tooth discoloration, and sometimes, rough patches form on the tooth, which is a sign that the enamel is being worn away from the tooth. Some children may also experience sensitivity to hot and cold foods, and sometimes sweet foods. This is because the wearing away of the enamel is thinning the barrier protecting the tooth roots, which makes the tooth more sensitive to things, especially temperatures.
If your child is experiencing tooth sensitivity, bring that in to our office in Prince Frederick or Waldorf, Maryland, for a dental checkup to make sure they aren’t showing signs of the start of a cavity.
What Cavities Look Like As They Progress
As the tooth enamel wears away, the tooth becomes more susceptible to cavities. If you notice your child has brown or black spots forming on the surface of a tooth, that is a major sign that a cavity has already formed on the tooth. If you see any visible pits or holes forming on the surface of your child’s tooth, that is another way to see a cavity that is progressing. Your child may also experience swelling or redness near the gumline of their teeth if the tooth decay progresses. If you see any of these signs, we encourage you to bring your child in immediately for a dental evaluation to check their teeth.
Common Areas Cavities Appear
While brushing your teeth is important for your dental health, it’s important for your child to pay attention to a few different areas where cavities are known to form.
Between teeth: Toothbrushes aren’t designed to get in between teeth, which makes those areas harder to clean. Unfortunately, those places make great spots for cavities to grow because bacteria and plaque can hide in those crevices. However, that is where dental floss comes into play! Parents may need to help their children floss when they are younger, but using a dental pik or water pik can help children clean those areas more independently.
Molars: Molars are the teeth that are all the way in the back of the mouth and serve the purpose of helping to chew and grind food down. Because of their placement, many children have a hard time properly brushing their molars, which makes them prone to cavities.
Near the gumline: Another spot popular for plaque buildup is along the gumline. Sometimes, children don’t brush properly there, or use dental floss correctly, so it is important to remind your children to take their time brushing all surfaces of their teeth and gums to make sure they are clean and clear of plaque.
When to Visit the Dentist
If your child is experiencing any tooth discomfort or pain, you should always bring them into one of the We Make Kids Smile offices. We are conveniently located in Waldorf and Prince Frederick, Maryland. If you notice any discoloration on your child’s teeth, that is another sign for you to bring them into our offices. Early treatment is the key to keeping your child’s teeth healthy, and early prevention can help prevent infection and the growth of cavities.
Cavities aren’t the end of things. When caught early, cavities are treatable. To keep cavities and tooth decay away, encourage your child to brush their teeth at least twice a day for a minimum of two minutes each time, as well as encouraging them to floss at least once a day. Remember, preventative dental visits can help keep cavities at bay, so schedule your next appointment at We Make Kids Smile Pediatric Dentistry today!
