What is a cavity?
Dr. Rivera, a made-up host, answers this for kids on a sample page for dental offices.
Dr. Rivera Dentist
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Transcript
Hi, I'm Dr. Rivera. I'm a dentist.
What is a cavity?
Each of your teeth has a hard covering on the outside called enamel. A sticky film called plaque can grow on your teeth. This plaque is full of tiny living things called bacteria.
Bacteria in the plaque use sugar from foods and drinks to make acid. This acid can make the strong enamel on your teeth weaker. Saliva helps the enamel repair itself.
Sometimes a white spot shows up on a tooth. This can be a sign that the enamel has lost some of its hardness.
If the enamel keeps getting weaker, it can turn into a hole. A hole in a tooth is called a cavity. A dentist is the one who finds and fixes a cavity. Enamel does not grow back by itself.
Thanks for watching!
Sources
- American Dental Association / MouthHealthy: Tooth Decay (opens in a new tab)
- American Academy of Pediatrics / HealthyChildren.org: Fluoride for Children: Parent FAQs (opens in a new tab)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About Cavities (Tooth Decay) (opens in a new tab)
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: The Tooth Decay Process: How to Reverse It and Avoid a Cavity (opens in a new tab)
- MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine): Tooth Decay (opens in a new tab)
- American Dental Association / MouthHealthy: Cavities: What are They and How Do We Prevent Them? (opens in a new tab)