Cavities in Children
By: MariaJose Flores
A cavity in a child does not appear overnight. They are the result of the decaying process of the teeth. Eating foods high in sugar, eating right before bedtime, not brushing thoroughly at least twice a day, and not flossing once at night are all behaviors that may contribute to tooth decay. Bacteria in a child’s mouth consumes the sugary residue on uncleaned teeth and produces acid, which can cause tooth erosion. If left unchecked, this erosion leads to decay and, eventually, a hole or pit in the tooth – also known as a cavity. This decay impacts the enamel on the outside of teeth as well as the inner layer, dentin.
Brushing your teeth before going to bed is incredibly important. If food is left on teeth overnight, a bacteria known as streptococcus mutans, consume the sugars and produce acid, which eat away at the teeth until the next brushing. Aside from brushing teeth before bedtime, avoid giving children sugary drinks or food right before bedtime. This includes formula and breastmilk, both of which contain sugar.
A regular dental checkup is the greatest technique to detect the presence of a cavity. A pediatric dentist will ask questions about your child’s nutrition and dental care, examine the teeth for any soft areas or visible signs of a cavity, and use x-rays to get a more comprehensive look between the teeth when a visual examination may not be performed.
X-rays are often utilized because cavities can sometimes go unnoticed, especially when they are not painful and/or are not immediately visible to the naked eye. Some cavities may also go undetected despite the use of an x-ray. This is primarily due to a cavity’s small size. These instances demonstrate the importance of regular exams, as these little cavities can develop into larger ones if not properly treated. A toothache is another indicator of a cavity. If you suspect your child has a cavity, take them to the dentist for an examination.
If a child has a cavity, it is critical that it is filled. The most typical treatment is for the dentist to extract and fill the damaged area of the tooth. Fillings are available in a range of materials and are perfectly safe, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Fillings have been utilized as a robust and long-lasting therapy for cavities for at least 150 years. Some parents believe that cavities necessitate the extraction of the tooth. This is not correct. Tooth extraction is only used as a last option if the cavity is untreatable with a filling. This is why frequent dental examinations are so crucial because they allow pediatric dentists to detect cavities before they develop to an untreatable size.
Every parent should strive to provide their children with a cavity-free childhood. Remember that a child’s dental health is a collaborative effort between parent and child. Reinforcing proper oral hygiene practices in children during their early years will establish the groundwork for a lifetime of good dental health.
A History of Braces
By: Avantika Samanta
Dental braces have gotten increasingly popular in recent years. In the United States over 4 million people wear them, 75% of them being children. Until recently, tooth decay was the primary concern, and worries about teeth “straightness” in a sense, came second. Braces serve as both a cosmetic procedure or a necessary one, it truly depends on the patient.
The conception of achieving the perfect smile has been around since ancient times. Methods for straightening crooked teeth have been contemplated and discussed by several historical figures such as Hippocrates and Aristotle. Some of the first forms of braces were found on Ancient Egyptian mummies and were made of cord from animal skin attached to the teeth in the same way a modern dentist would attach wires to current patients. Various other materials have been used throughout history as well such as gold, platinum, silver, steel, rubber, wood, and more.
The only memorable advancement during this period of time in between would be the first documented attempt by the Romans. Aulus Cornelius Celsus documented his tries to straighten teeth amongst the living by applying pressure at certain points with the force of his own hand. It is difficult to back up his work now even though he reported success. The main major breakthroughs came significantly later during the 18th century when two books were published in France. Dentist Pierre Fauchard published his book “The Surgeon Dentist” which included an entire chapter dedicated to methods employed in teeth straightening. He developed the “Bandeau”, which is a device used to expand the arch of the mouth. It was similar to a mouthguard and is believed to have helped teeth stay in their intended position. A few years later Pierre Bourdet, the dentist of the King of France was able to make improvements to this device in multiple ways. Bourdet also discovered that the rear wisdom teeth can be removed to avoid the crowding of the teeth.
The 1900s was when the use of the term “braces” began to be commonly used by people and during this period there were many advancements that were built on top of each other. Cristophe-Francois Delabarre created the wire “crib” that was placed directly on top of the teeth in hopes of keeping them in place. Elastics were added by Dr. Maynard in order to improve the alignment of the jaw. 3 years later the design was improved further to increase comfort for patients. Dr. S.C Barnum also created the dental dam, a thin piece of latex that protects the gums, and this is still used even today. At this point in time getting braces would be very expensive considering the materials commonly used and the difficulty of the procedure, so it was only really available to those who were more well off. The 1970s was when dentistry changed. Stainless steel began to be used, and dental adhesive made the process more comfortable and widely available.
In modern days technologies like Invisalign are vastly different from what was used in the past. They’re used on adults, but primarily in kids because at a younger age, one’s teeth are able to change more efficiently. This fascinating history is both complex and interesting. It is a perfect example of how, as the world evolves, medicine evolves with it.
Work Cited:
Cavities in Children
Bordonaro, Dr. D. (2019, August 7). What to do when your child has a cavity. Junior Smiles Children’s Dentistry. https://kidsdentalsmile.com/child-cavity/
Children’s health. (n.d.). WebMD. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.webmd.com/children/what-to-do-about-cavities-in-children
SandfireDesign. (2021, January 15). Treatment for children’s cavities. Junior Smiles Children’s Dentistry. https://kidsdentalsmile.com/treatment-for-children-cavities/
Tooth decay (caries or cavities) in children. (n.d.). Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved February 22, 2022, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/tooth-decay-caries-or-cavities-in-childrenWhy does my child keep getting cavities? (2021, June 29). Kids Dental Vision Care. https://kidsdentalvisioncare.com/articles/why-does-my-child-keep-getting-cavities
A History of Braces
https://www.thurmanortho.com/the-interesting-history-of-braces/
https://www.news-medical.net/health/History-of-Dental-Braces.aspx
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/07/braces-dentures-history/397934/
Medical Wonders 