Ask Dr. Clark: What, exactly, are cavities?

We know one word parents and kids don’t want to hear when they visit Pearland Pediatric Dentistry is Cavity! That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly are cavities and how do they happen? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Dr. Pamela Clark and Dr. Suha Reddy, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities at home:

• Brush your child’s teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily
• Gently brush the gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your child’s teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats your child eats/drinks
• Be sure to visit our Pearland office every six months – or as recommended – for a teeth cleaning and check-up

What's the deal with cavities?

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, our professional team knows one word no child wants to hear when they visit Dr. Pamela Clark is "Cavity!" That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected by Dr. Clark or Dr. Suha Reddy so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Clark or Reddy, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifit is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit our convenient Pearland office every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

We hope that helps you and your child understand cavities a little better! If you have any questions, be sure to ask us here, on Facebook, or by giving us a call! We also invite you to schedule an appointment!

"My daughter is turning one. When should I bring her in for a visit?"

Good question! The short answer is, "First visit by first birthday."

Dr. Pamela Clark and our staff know that cavities know no age boundaries, and that is why we recommend a visit to our office at age one. That also happens to be the opinion of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dental Association agree. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that children who are at risk of early childhood cavities visit a pediatric dentist by their first birthday.

Research has shown that cavities are increasing in preschool-aged children, and that more than one in four kids has had at least one cavity by the time they're four years old. In fact, many children get cavities as early as age two.

The appointment also covers topics such as the importance of baby teeth, nutrition, development and overall concerns you may have with your child. We believe that a child's first visit with Dr. Clark or Dr. Suha Reddy should be enjoyable and positive. At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, we strive to teach good oral care that will enable your child to have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.

Have you scheduled an appointment for your child? We hope to see you soon!

Dr. Pamela Clark, helping your child understand cavities

At Pearland Pediatric Dentistry, our staff knows one word no child wants to hear when they visit Dr. Pamela Clark is "Cavity!" That’s right, the dreaded cavity; but what exactly is a cavity and how do you get one? A cavity is a hole that develops in a tooth when the tooth begins to decay. It’s important to get a cavity filled as soon as it’s detected by Dr. Clark or Dr. Suha Reddy so that it does not grow bigger.

So, what causes a cavity? A cavity is caused by plaque, a sticky substance that forms on the tooth as a result of germ and bacteria build-up. Plaque is acidic and as it clings to your teeth the acids eat away the outside of the tooth (also called the enamel) and a hole is formed.

Yes, cavities can be repaired by Drs. Clark or Reddy, but here are a few simple steps you can take to prevent cavities:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily
• Gently brush your gums to keep them healthy (when choosing a toothbrush it is recommended to use soft bristles)
• Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food that may be caught between the teeth where your toothbrush can’t reach
• Limit the amount of soda and sugary treats you eat/drink
• Be sure to visit our convenient Pearland office every six months for a teeth cleaning and check-up

We hope that helps you and your child understand cavities a little better! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Ask Dr. Clark: How often should my child visit your office?

Pearland Pediatric Dentistry is based on preventive care, and we strive to teach good oral care that will enable your child to have a beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime. Establishing lasting relationships with our patient families, based upon mutual trust and open communication, is very important to us.

Your child should visit Dr. Pamela Clark and our team every six months for regular dental cleanings, tooth exams, as well as growth and development exams. We recommend professional fluoride treatments twice a year along with cleanings to keep teeth their strongest. At each recare visit your child will have their medical history updated, radiographs taken as needed, and a dental prophylaxis (cleaning) performed by our Dental Hygienist. Dr. Clark then performs a complete dental exam including caries screening, soft tissue exam, and evaluation of growth and development.

As part of our caries screening process, our office utilizes Caries I.D. technology. Caries I.D. is a pen-sized hand held device that utilizes LED technology to detect cavities in the earliest stages that can often be missed by traditional methods. Early detection means more conservative treatment for your child.

We encourage you to give us a call if you have any questions!