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11 | O akville B eaver | T hursday,A pril 28,2022 insidehalton.com Cavities are openings in the protective structure of teeth caused by infectious bacteria. The protective outer surface of the tooth is enamel. At times, due to wear and disease, other areas of tooth structure called dentin and cementum may also be exposed. Enamel is the hardest and strongest structure in the human body, even stronger than bones. Cementum and dentin on the other hand are softer and when exposed can form soft areas or cavities at amuch faster rate. Enamel, cementum and dentin all have a similar purpose; to protect the pulp of the tooth, the area where the nerve and the rich blood vessels that feed the tooth reside. "If your dentist has told you that you have a cavity, it is important you attend to it. In the early stages, a cavity stays within the enamel; but once it travels to the underlying dentin, it can spread rapidly. Once the cavity goes through the dentin and into the pulp, it can cause infection, inflammation and discomfort.When the pulp becomes inflamed and infected, many times it will require a root canal (removal of the pulp and nerve of the tooth). Catching a cavity in the early stages is the key," says Dr. Vineet Bhandari of Bhandari Dental in Oakville. "Prevention of cavities starts with brushing three times a day for a minimum of two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day. If a person is at high risk for cavities, a higher concentration of fluoride toothpaste or an added daily fluoride rinse is a good idea. As well, many medications which people take have a side effect such as dry mouth, which raises their chance of developing cavities, thus home care is vital for prevention,"Dr. Bhandari notes. While Oakville's municipal water supply is fluoridated, in some areas and for those with private wells, the water is not fluoridated so the use of fluoride toothpaste is vital in prevention of decay. According to the Ontario Dental Association; "Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease, one of the leading causes of absences from school and only a small percentage know that it's an infectious disease." Dr. Bhandari underlines the importance of preventing oral disease. He encourages everyone to visit a dentist and to "brush, floss and rinse for oral health". Getting to the root of cavities -- ADVERTORIAL -- 2525 Old Bronte Rd. Ste. 470 Oakville 289-813-8239 www.bhandaridental.com Dr. Vineet Bhandari dentist Revera Oakville - Saturday, April 30 12:00pm - 4:00pm Visit all 3 and be entered to win a $500.00 Visa gift card Experience what retirement living is really like with curated experiences that add the wow into your day and get to know the residents and staff who help make everyday extraordinary. Call to RSVP today. 1-877-929-9222 Churchill Place 345 Church St. The Kensington Oakville 25 Lakeshore Rd.W Trafalgar Lodge 299 Randall St.