Cavity Quiz! True or False:

1) Children are more prone to cavities than adults.

False. Over the past 20 years, tooth decay in children has reduced by more than half, partially in thanks to fluoride added to drinking water. However, tooth decay is on the rise for senior citizens, partially because of medication causing dry mouth which speeds up the decay process.

2) Babies cannot develop cavities.

False. Just because your baby still has their baby teeth doesn’t mean they can’t develop tooth decay. Left untreated, the cavities can spread to other teeth.

3) Sugar is the only cause of cavities.

False. Any carbohydrate that you eat can kick-start the tooth decay process. Bacteria lives in plaque, attached to your teeth. Once they are exposed to a food source, in this case a carbohydrate, they begin releasing acid, which can damage the tooth.

4) Acid can lead to tooth decay.

True. Aside from the acid released by the bacteria in your mouth, consuming additional acid from sodas and fruit drinks can actually aide the bacteria in damaging your teeth. However, if you keep up your daily brushing, this damage can be reduced.

5) It is obvious when you have a cavity.

False. Most of the time, cavities are not easily detected. Usually, when they are noticeable to you and causing pain, they are already at an advanced state of decay. Regular dental checkups with your friendly Valencia dentist can treat cavities before they can cause you pain.

6) Cracked or chipped teeth lead to tooth decay.

True. Cracks and chips and nooks and crannies can harbor bacteria in your mouth and speed up tooth decay. They make cleaning with your tooth brush harder, especially to reach into the pockets of bacteria.

7) Tooth sensitivity means tooth decay.

False. Tooth decay typically doesn’t cause pain until it is at an advanced state. There are several other causes of tooth sensitivity, including bleaching your teeth. If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, check with your dentist today – there could be many causes.

8) Once a cavity is filled, the decay will stop.

True. In order to fill a cavity, all of the decay is removed. As long as proper dental hygiene is practiced, no future decay is expected.

9) All fillings will eventually need to be replaced.

False. Most fillings will need to be replaced, but depending on the location of the filling and your oral hygiene, some fillings can last nearly forever.

10) Brushing, flossing, and rinsing will prevent cavities.

Absolutely true! It is much easier to prevent tooth decay than to treat it. Setting up regular appointments with your friendly Valencia dentist will not only fix cavities, but also prevent future cavities. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing daily is imperative for a healthy mouth.