According to the "California Smile Survey" conducted in 2005, reported shown:

54% of preschool children had untreated decay

71% of 6- through 8- years olds had untreated decay

California's children averaged twice the national level of untreated tooth decay.

There are 3 layers on the tooth (same for baby or adult tooth); Enamel (outer and strongest layer), dentin (middle layer) and pulp (the inner-most layer contains the nerves and blood supply).

When the cavity first start in the enamel layer, you don't feel it, it doesn't hurt nor you will experience any cold / hot / sweet sensitivity.  In fact, you don't feel the sensitivity or pain until it is deep into the second dentin or third pulp layer.  Often time, when you see the dentist with pain, it is already too deep. Just a normal filling will not be enough to fix it.   A root canal treatment is needed to remove and clean the pulp layer.

One of the early visual sign of caries can be a chalky "white spot" lesion, which is caused by the weakening (demineralization) of the enamel.  When detected at this stage, the decay is reversible.  The reverse of this process is remineralization.  Here in Newport Healthy Smiles, we use a 6-step oral health assessment for all babies and young children.

Drs. Ling and Wong look forward to providing you with optimum oral health for you and your family.

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