Sedation Dentistry – Your Ultimate Guide

There are a number of reasons that adults—grown adults—avoid trips to the dentist. 

 

According to the American Dental Association, over 17% of people admit they avoid going to the dentist due to anxiety. And this “demotivator” is right behind the very real inability to pay for dental services that leaves millions of patients avoiding appointments each year. There are still others who have special needs or who are facing complex dental procedures, which result in fear or apprehension when faced with a visit to the dentist. 

 

If you or a family member—even children—can identify with any of these issues, then it might be worthwhile to consider if sedation dentistry is right for you. Don’t let the word “sedation” cause more anxiety, though! This option is a safe and gentle for almost all ages. Keep reading as we break down the types of sedation available as well as the groups of patients who may be best served by sedation dentistry.  

 

What is sedation dentistry? 

 

Sedation dentistry offers patients relief from anxiety and pain and ensures a pain–free procedure—many times without any memory of the appointment. While many complex procedures are performed with some form of anesthesia, it is possible for general cleaning to also take place under sedation for those patients who suffer from severe anxiety. 

 

There are several levels of sedation we use, all depending on the complexity of the procedure. The American Dental Association, in conjunction with state guidelines, offers a set of best practices for the administration of local anesthesia, sedation, and general anesthesia. Your dentist will decide which level of sedation is best for you. Below is a breakdown of the varying types of anesthesia typically used: 

 

• Nitrous oxide: This is the most common form of sedation, and while it doesn’t put you all the way to sleep, it can reduce anxiety during a dental procedure. More commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen and administered through a mask that is placed over the nose. This sedative can wear off quickly, so your dentist will actively monitor your anxiety and pain levels throughout the procedure.

  Another benefit of nitrous oxide is that you can drive yourself home after the procedure. This is a good option for your bi-annual appointment or for less invasive procedures.  

 

• Oral sedation: Also known as enteral sedation, this option encompasses all types of sedation that come in pill or liquid form. This option is helpful for easing nerves prior to getting to your appointment. Many times, this option is used in conjunction with nitrous oxide. Typically, the prescribed pill is Halcion, which is a member of the same drug family as Valium and is taken about an hour before the procedure.

  This pill will make you drowsy, though you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. Depending on the dose, you might fall asleep during the procedure. 

 

• IV sedation: This type of sedation will put you in a deeper level of sedation, rendering you totally unaware of what is happening around you. While technically still awake, most patients report no memory of what happened during a procedure.

  And, just like with nitrous oxide, your dentist will continuously monitor your level of sedation through the procedure and adjust it as necessary. 

 

• General anesthesia: This is the deepest level of sedation and should only be performed by highly–qualified practitioners in appropriate settings. This type of sedation is used most frequently for patients with special needs or who require the most complex dental treatments.  

 

Who’s eligible for sedation dentistry? 

 

Anxious patients 

 

As mentioned, dental anxiety is a highly present issue among adults. If you suffer from dental anxiety, but have trouble articulating your fears with your dentist, your provider might choose to utilize the Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale. Developed in 1969, this four question survey allows patients to choose from five answers. Each answer corresponds with numerical score. The total score allows the dentist to determine how anxious you are about the appointment.  

 

Another assessment tool is the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale. This survey consists of five questions, each with a five-category rating scale, ranging from “not anxious” to “extremely anxious.” One difference in this survey is that it has an extra item about the respondent’s anxiety to a local anesthetic injection as well as the dental procedure itself. 

 

Based on the results of the survey, your dentist may recommend sedation as part of your treatment.  

 

Special needs patients 

 

The special needs population is diverse and has a wide range of dental needs. Due to this, the reasons for the use of sedation dentistry are equally varied. Not only does this influence the type of anesthesia used, it also makes an impact on how the anesthesia is introduced.  

 

For instance, special needs patients may have physical limitations as well as intellectual disabilities, each of which are vital components that are taken into consideration. One common example of special needs dentistry is serving those with autism. Since the dentist’s office can present an array of sensory challenges such as new tastes, smells and textures, sedation can offer a calmer experience. If you or your child have special needs, have a conversation with your dentist ahead of time to discuss options to make the patient most comfortable.  

 

Complex procedures 

 

Finally, some dental procedures can take several hours to complete. Since many patients would prefer to be in the chair for the least amount of time possible, they choose to break these procedures into multiple visits. However, sedation density allows patients to calmly complete complex procedures in a single visit. For example, patients who need extensive rebuilding procedures or multiple cavities filled at one time may be good candidates for sedation dentistry.  

 

Are there risks to sedation dentistry? 

 

As with any procedure, it’s important to discuss with your dentist if you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry. For those with sleep apnea or adverse reactions to anesthesia, it’s important to discuss your medical history with your dentist prior to any procedure.  

 

Finally, everyone reacts differently to the different medications used for sedation. This includes how much is needed for complete sedation as well as any adverse feelings upon “coming to.” If you are concerned about how you may react, make sure to ask your dentist prior to your appointment. 

 

Sedation dentistry has the ability to transform the practice of dentistry for those that avoid it due to anxiety or fear of pain. If you are interested in what Dr. Ku’s office has to offer, give us a call today!  

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How to Prepare Your Child for the First Trip to the Dentist

How happy do you feel when you see your child completing milestones? The first step, the first word, and the first smile. These are all wonderful experiences that a parent will never forget.  

We’re sure you felt a leap of joy when you saw your child had sprouted his or her first tooth, too. And that joy is natural because, at this stage, that will also mean your babe will soon be eating a more diverse diet, too. 

After celebrating this event, it’s also time to think about another “first” for your child—his or her first visit to the dentist.  

Starting dental visits at a young age can greatly increase the odds that your child will maintain good oral health and a sparkling white smile through life. But how do you get your child prepared for the chair? Are you concerned the experience will be intimidating? 

Let’s jump in and see how you can quickly and simply get your child read! 

When should a child visit the dentist for the first time? 

In general, it’s recommended that children should have their first dental visits no more than six months after the appearance of their first tooth. Starting dental visits at such a young age can play an important role in the oral health of your child later in life. 

To begin with, baby teeth may not be permanent, but they can cause issues in speaking and chewing if they are not healthy.  

What’s more, tooth decay can occur as soon as your child’s first tooth pops, and having tooth decay on baby teeth can further increase the risk of having tooth decay in permanent teeth. 

And, perhaps the most important reason yet, starting dental visits at a young age can help build the habit of proper dental care and grow familiarity with dental procedures so that these don’t cause anxiety in the future. Building these routines at such a young age can greatly increase the odds that your kids will keep those healthy habits throughout life. 

How to prepare your child for the first dentist visit 

The first dental visit for your child can end up being frightening—for your child and for you—if he or she isn’t prepared. But these simple tips can help get everyone on board for a stress-free dental visit! 

Tip #1: Practice at home 

It’s very important for your child to get accustomed to having hands and fingers in and around the mouth before visiting the dentist for the first time.  

What’s a hygienic and safe way to go about this? Try Running a soft, wet washcloth or a toothbrush specially designed for infants over the gums and teeth. This both cleans your child’s teeth and gets him or her accustomed to having hands and dental tools in the mouth. Songs and games can reinforce this routine. 

Tip #2: Begin teaching your child about teeth 

Children love exploring and learning new things! Teaching your child about his or her teeth and mouth will not just be a way to get interested in oral health, but will also make the first dental appointment easier.  

Since we’re talking about starting these practices at a very young age, simply teaching your child to identify where everything is in its mouth is enough for now. Songs, games, giving names to teeth can help here as well! 

Tip #3: Explain what to expect at the dentist’s office to your child 

Your child’s first dental visit will not involve any pain. The dentist will devote time to gently examine your child’s teeth—and maybe clean them if necessary. At Dr. Ku’s office, we make the visit a fun experience in order to create a positive association with dental visits.  

In addition, games like using a stuffed animal as a “dentist” in play or teaching your child how to be the dentist by allowing him or her to “examine”  your teeth will definitely be fun and help your child become familiar with the process.  

 

Your child’s first dental appointment can very easily become a fun experience if you practice beforehand with fun and games! Follow the list above, and you will experience a tear-free first visit. 

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Periapical Abscess: What it is, what causes it and how it’s treated

We’ve all experienced toothaches. They can be mild or severe, and can be caused by a variety of factors, with a small portion of them being critical.  

 

If you aren’t suffering from a serious oral or dental issue, most of these toothaches will go away in less than a day with pain killers and some home remedies like saltwater rinses, compresses and clove oil. 

 

However, sometimes the problem isn’t quite so simple. Imagine having a severe, persistent toothache that radiates down your neck, ears, and jawbone. You take painkillers and use every home remedy available in your arsenal, but the pain still doesn’t go away. In addition, you have a fever and swollen lymph nodes in your neck, and you experience sensitivity to chewing, cold, and hot foods, and even experience swallowing or breathing difficulties. 

 

If this is ever the case, you might be suffering from a periapical abscess. A periapical abscess is an infection on one of your teeth and it is considered a critical oral health issue. A periapical abscess can cause you to lose the infected tooth and, if not treated properly, it can cause serious or even life-threatening complications. 

 

In this article, we’re going to break down what a periapical abscess is, what causes it, what treatment methods are available, and some pain–relieving home treatments to try while you wait to see your dentist. In any case, make sure to see your dentist as soon as possible if you suspect you’re suffering from an abscess. 

 

Fast facts on dental abscesses 

 

A dental or tooth abscess is a pus pocket associated with a specific, damaged tooth. It can happen to patients of any age group and will not heal on its own. There are four types of abscesses that can occur in different regions of the tooth: 

 

• The periapical abscess is an infection that occurs at the tip of the root 

• The periodontal abscess begins in the soft tissues that surround a healthy tooth 
• The gingival abscess is a type of abscess that affects the gum tissue 
• The pericoronal abscess that results from an infected crown in a tooth 

 

Every type of abscess has its own level of severity and set of symptoms. In this article, we’re going to focus on the periapical abscess. 

 

Causes of a periapical abscess on a tooth 

 

In a glance, a periapical abscess can happen when any bacterial infection makes its way into the innermost part of a tooth, the dental pulp. The dental pulp is the heart of our tooth because it contains its blood vessels and nerves.  

 

However, we all know how hard our teeth are. As a result, bacteria making their way into the heart of a tooth isn’t going to happen overnight. Let’s break down the processes that ultimately allows bacteria to enter deep inside our pearly whites, later leading to complications like periapical abscesses. 

 

To begin with, bacteria are present everywhere around and inside us. In fact, a study has shown that there are ten times more bacteria than human cells in the body, with a staggering number of 39 trillion bacterial cells inhabiting every one of us! A relatively small number of this colony (about 6 billion) inhabit the mouth.  

 

Factors like diet, poor oral hygiene and plaque, can enable some of these bacteria to release acids. These acids will attach to the tooth enamel (which is the protective shield of our teeth) and then starts dissolving it, resulting in the formation of tiny holes on the teeth. These tiny holes have a very famous name: tooth decay! 

 

If a tooth is cracked or has these tiny holes due to tooth decay, more bacteria can enter through them, dissolve the soft tissue layer under the enamel, and eventually find their way into our tooth’s heart (the pulp). There, they infect and wreak havoc on the tooth’s blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue, and can end up killing the tooth in time. 

 

However, the infection doesn’t end there. If the abscess is not treated, chances are that the infection will eventually spread to other areas, too, including the jaw, neck, and head, causing all sorts of infections including sepsis, which is life-threatening. 

 

Symptoms of a periapical abscess 

 

The main symptom of a periapical tooth abscess is pain. The pain is usually severe, but sometimes it can be tolerable. Other symptoms that may reveal a periapical tooth abscess include: 

 

• Fever 

• Pain in the jaw, neck or ear (stretching up from the tooth) 
• A bad taste in the mouth 
• Swollen lymph nodes 
• Swelling in the cheeks 
• Redness in gums 

• Sensitivity in chewing 
• Sensitivity to hot and cold foods 
• Difficulties in swallowing and breathing 

 

Note: The sum of these symptoms all at once makes for a critical situation. If you experience difficulties in breathing or swelling, get care immediately. If your dentist isn’t available, go to an emergency room as soon as possible. 

 

Treatment and tips to ease the symptoms 

 

A periapical tooth abscess can’t be treated at home and won’t just “go away on its own.” You have to visit your dentist as soon as possible if you experience the symptoms mentioned above or have reason to believe you might have developed a periapical abscess or other serious oral infection. 

 

Dental abscesses are generally treated by removing the source of the infection and draining away the pus. Depending on the severity of the infection, possible treatments may include: 

 

• Root canals: If your tooth is still alive, this is the procedure of getting the tooth filled and sealed after removing the abscess from its root. 
• Tooth extraction: If it’s too late for your tooth and a root canal is not possible, your dentist will remove the tooth to cure the infection.  

 

While you are waiting to see your dentist, here are some home tips that can help ease the symptoms of an oral periapical abscess: 

 

• Use painkillers to control your pain (Ibuprofen is generally the preferred painkiller for dental abscesses, but paracetamol can be used as well, according to the NHS) 
• Avoid cold, hot and hard-to-chew foods—instead, eat room-temperature, soft foods 
• Rinse your mouth twice a day with salt water 

• Mix baking soda with water and swish it in your mouth 
• Use a cold compress 
• Use clove oil and “oil pulling” (click here for our last blog about at-home teeth health for more information) 

 

To recap, a periapical tooth abscess is a critical infection that cannot be treated on its own. The home tips listed above can help you while waiting to see your dentist and can help with the pain and other symptoms. However, the most important thing is to see a dentist as soon as possible.  

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How to Easily Master Oral Health

You’ve probably heard before that oral health is a window to your overall health. Your healthy teeth, gums and smile reveal not just what lifestyle choices you’re making right now, but also what could be going on in the rest of your body in other systems. And beyond being a window into other things going on, cavities, gum issues and plaque can also have direct consequences to your overall health.  

 

As if that isn’t enough to take your oral health seriously, there’s also the fact that, if you don’t take care of your teeth, you might be up needing some complex dental procedures that you would rather not need. We make all work done at our office as comfortable as possible for patients, but there won’t ever be a line out the door of patients wanting to sign up for root canals.  

 

Simple advice such as brushing and flossing your teeth daily can be taken for granted, because we all know how essential these are for a healthy mouth. But simple though it should be, data show that only 50% of Americans brush their teeth twice per day, one in three brushes their teeth just once per day, and there is even an 8.6% of Americans that brush only once every few days (Authority Dental). As a result, we can clearly see that, although information and advice about oral health is widespread, our oral health is often forgotten. 

 

Before digging into Ancient Medicine Today’s home tips for gaining and maintaining a healthy mouth, let’s examine which factors can cause higher risk (and greater need for care) for some patients:  

 

• Smoking and other tobacco use (including chewing and vaping) can cause all sorts of problems to your oral and overall health. Most consumers today understand that the risk of cancer, whether oral, lung or throat, are far greater for patients who smoke. But did you know it also affects your digestive system, which is intimately (and quite literally) connected to your teeth? Common symptoms among smokers like dry mouth lead to many problems that can improve immediately when tobacco consumption is stopped.  

 

• You probably guessed that poor diet is in the list of factors that can make achieving oral health much harder. In particular, a diet loaded with sugary foods and drinks can promote cavities as well as gum disease. Did you know that more than 90% of U.S. adults have had a cavity, and about 50% of all adults aged 30 or older have signs of gum disease (according to the CDC)?  

 

Although we can’t see, feel, or taste them, there are more that 700 bacterial species inhabiting our mouth at any given moment (NCBI). Many of these bacteria feed on the processed sugars we consume and produce the waste products that cause cavities and other diseases. 

 

Apart from a proper diet, strong oral routines and doing what you can to quit smoking, let’s see what some of the other tips are that Ancient Medicine Today’s video has outlined in such fantastic detail. These are habits that you can apply in the comfort of your home, and which can help you maintain good oral health more easily and avoid future complications. 

 

Massaging the gums and flossing 

 

We try to mention flossing as often as we do teeth brushing, because they really do go hand-in-hand. You’ve heard it before, but try just for a moment to pay the same attention you would to a juicy new fact in a trivia game, because we want this information to stick. According to a study by lead author Duong T. Nguyen, only 30% of Americans floss daily, 37% floss less than daily, and over 32% never floss. 

 

Flossing brings you all kind of oral health benefits, including keeping your smile bright, assisting in plaque removal, and preventing plaque build-up and the subsequent risk of gingivitis and gum disease. Flossing also reduces of bad breath and can make brushing your teeth more effective. So, the takeaway here is to always floss twice a day, right before you brush, to dislodge bits of food and clean the areas that your toothbrush can’t reach. 

 

On the same subject of gums and gingivitis, massaging your gums can also bring benefits to your oral health. According to the Ancient Medicine Today video, massaging your gums can also help in plaque removal and the prevention of plaque build-up over time. They even recommend using a vibrating toothbrush to effectively massage your gums and ensure easier plaque removal and a sparkling white smile! 

 

Clove oil and oil pulling 

 

Clove oil is a worthy solution to mention for its natural properties that help solve toothaches. Clove oil contains eugenol, a chemical that has anesthetic and antibacterial properties. This natural solution has been used in dentistry since the 19th century (MTN). 

 

When you are hit by a toothache, dip a clean cotton ball into the oil and apply it over the gums at the point of the pain. In addition, you can gargle clove oil diluted with water, just watch the video above to see how it’s done. 

 

If you’re interested in similar options, other oils like coconut, sesame or olive oil are great ways to maintain oral health, too. According to many studies cited in the video, studies, these oils generate antioxidants which hinder bacteria growth by damaging the cell walls of microorganisms to kill them off. The microorganisms targeted include plaque-building bacteria responsible for dental cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, and bad breath. These oils also help stop gum bleeding and can make your teeth whiter! 

 

To apply these oils, simply swish a half or one teaspoon of oil in your mouth, and make sure you work it through all the areas between your teeth. After a few minutes, spit out and rinse your mouth well. This practice, called oil pulling, should be done once or twice a day, and it will naturally whiten your teeth and detox your mouth. 

 

COQ10 and oral probiotics 

 

Coenzyme Q10 or COQ10 can be found naturally in the body and is an important nutrient for gums that can have a positive impact in preventing gum disease and gum bleeding. COQ10 has anti-aging properties, too, and can improve exercise performance, heart health, and diabetes. A recommended dose of COQ10 is 90–200 mg per day. 

 

Oral probiotics introduce friendly bacteria to your system. They include living microbes and foods containing living microbes, all of which beneficially influence your health when used on a daily basis or even as-needed (NCBI). Studies have shown that specific oral health probiotics can prevent all oral issues including gum diseases, cavities, and even whiten your teeth. If you have questions about which oral probiotics to use, contact our office today. 

 

Wrapping up, oral health is important because it reflects your overall health. To achieve and maintain your best oral health, white smile and fresh breath, pay attention to your diet and daily habits, the frequency and consistency of brushing and flossing your teeth, and try out any of the extra tips mentioned in the article.  

 

And last but certainly not least, if you have issues or doubts, you should get in touch with your dentist immediately. 

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Gumline Cavities—How They Form And Tips To Prevent Them

Cavity: a word no one wants to hear from their dentist. The story of cavities goes way back, with their age-old presence proven when a team of archaeologists discovered the teeth of our friend “John,” aged about 15,000 years old. And guess what? John’s teeth were riddled with holes because of cavities.  

 

Cavities are also very widespread today. According to a 2016 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 90% of U.S. adults have had a cavity and about 50% of all adults aged 30 or older have signs of gum disease. Cavities may form in the outer coating and the inner layer of a tooth, or in the gumline. 

 

Causes and complications of cavities—and gumline cavities, specifically 

 

Cavities are caused by an entire ecosystem of bacteria living in our mouths. We actually have more bacteria in our mouth (20 to 100 billion) than the entire human population on Earth! 

 

However, this number shouldn’t scare you, because most bacteria in our mouths are harmless. Bacteria in general feed on the foods and drinks you consume, and as living beings, they grow, move, reproduce and discharge waste matter. Depending on what we eat, and specifically how much sugar we consume, certain bacteria can overpopulate and cause the waste matter that causes cavities. 

 

Jus like us humans, bacteria love sugar. They use it as an energy source, and when they consume it they release byproducts in the form of acids. These acids then stick to and start dissolving the minerals that make up tooth enamel, which is the protective layer of our teeth. Over time, a pit develops in the tooth and a cavity is formed. 

 

Plaque can then build up in those pits as well as in the spaces between your teeth and along the gumline. If left unchecked, it may result in a gumline cavity. 

 

Cavities can have serious and long-lasting complications for anyone, even to children that have not developed their permanent teeth yet. Some of these complications include: 

 

• Damaged or even destroyed teeth 
• Gingivitis or even periodontitis 
• Dental abscesses, where pus-filled swellings can occur to your mouth (a dental abscess will result in severe pain, fever and infection) 
• Weight loss or nutrition problems due to difficulties when eating or chewing 

• Missing teeth, which can affect your appearance and confidence 

 

Who is at higher risk? And how do you prevent gumline cavities? 

 

Gumline cavities and cavities in general can occur to any age, and no matter the number of teeth. Culotta-Norton, former president of the D.C. Dental Society, told Live Science that some groups do have a higher risk for cavities, however, due largely to access to oral care and other factors. These groups include: 

 

• Both children and adults in lower-income families 
• Senior citizens 
• People living in areas where drinking water is not fluoridated 
• People with diseases or medication use that causes a decrease in salivary flow 

• People undergoing radiation therapy 
• People with diabetes 
• Tobacco users 
• Alcohol and drug users 
• People who consume large amounts of carbonated and sugary drinks 

 

The key to prevent cavities is good dental and oral health. The following tips will help you maintain a healthy mouth, and will highly reduce the chances of getting a cavity or a gumline cavity.  

 

Brush, brush, brush! 

 

This is the most obvious tip and we are sure you’ve been hearing it since you were a child. However, now that you know about the billions of little bacteria that inhabit your mouth, we’re hoping you won’t take it lightly!  

 

Brushing your teeth properly can keep your teeth and mouth healthy and strong. Always brush your teeth, taking care to brush down to the gumline, twice a day for two minutes with a soft toothbrush. And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush at least every 3 to 4 months. Finally, clean between your teeth once per day with dental floss to remove plaque that’s hard to reach with a toothbrush. 

 

Also be sure to use a fluoride-containing toothpaste, because according to the American Dental Association, when the fluoride compounds are present in your mouth they can actually make your teeth stronger and prevent cavities. They can even reverse early tooth decay. 

 

Fluoridated water, in particular, can do miracles in preventing cavities for the whole community. Studies have shown that that water fluoridation can reduce the amount of decay in children’s teeth by 18-40%. 

 

Diet and smoking 

 

Remember our friend John from before? John’s cavities were formed 15,000 years ago by the same thing that form our cavities today: bacteria. And although John’s diet did not contain processed sugars, the carbs from his rich in nuts–and–vegetables diet were broken down into simple sugars that bacteria could still feed on. 

 

To avoid cavities, you must stop feeding those “naughty” bacteria that live in your mouth with processed sugar. Consume nutritious foods and try to avoid foods and snacks high in sugars as well as sweetened beverages such as sodas and energy drinks. If you have to consume a food high in sugar, brush your teeth shortly after. 

 

You’re probably aware of the negative effects smoking can cause to overall health, too. According to the College of Dentistry, “smoking can do a lot more than just stain your teeth—this unhealthy habit can also lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer.” Try to quit smoking for both your overall and your oral health. 

 

Visit your dentist regularly 

 

Regular dental checkups are another key factor to reduce your chances of getting a cavity or gumline cavity. Your dentist will provide you with professional hygienic cleaning procedures that remove plaque and keep your teeth and gumline secure from cavity risk. In addition, the dentist will examine your mouth and spot other potential risks as well as the early signs of tooth decay. 

 

Treatment for cavities 

 

The idea of having an electric drill in your mouth doesn’t sound terribly appealing to anyone. But let’s get back to our friend John for a second. Archeological findings have shown that about 14,000 years ago, sharpened stone tools were used to remove bits of rotten teeth and cure cavities for John and his friend! We choose to feel thankful to have the tools available today—any drill will trump stone tools to fix tooth decay. 

 

Filling a tooth with materials such as dental amalgam or composite resin is the most standard treatment for cavities in our day and age. Your dentist starts by removing the decayed material with a drill or laser, and then fills the hole in. Cavities along the gumline are treated in the same way. However, based on the severity of the damage to both the tooth and gumline, your dentist may choose another treatment plan, such as crowns or root canals. 

 

Cavities are wide-spread and can cause a lot of complications, but they are also easily preventable. Cavities prevention starts by practicing good oral health from an early age, and decay can be later prevented with a proper diet and regular dentist visits. 

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