Where Are Cavities Found?
In American children, cavities between teeth are quickly becoming a thing of the past, states the National Institute for Dental Research. Most decay is now found in baby teeth and in chewing surfaces of permanent back teeth (molars). Common sources for cavities are natural defects in molars known as pits and fissures. These defects can extend far into the enamel. They cannot be cleaned by brushing or flossing. Bacteria, the cause of cavities, easily multiply in pits and fissures and produce decay. The answer to these enamel problems is placement of sealants by the dentist. A painless procedure, sealants are applied to teeth in a process known as “bonding.” The sealant covers the defect and prevents bacteria from entering. This protects teeth from decay. Because of their softer enamel, baby teeth are more prone to cavities than adult teeth. In addition, small children may neglect or do a poor job with brushing. The result is that kids aged 5-9 have about eight times more cavities in bab
