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Expert Q&A
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| By Catrise Austin Cosmetic and General Dentist | ||
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My 8-year-old has a brownish spot on one of his molars. He is scared that it's a cavity. We have an appointment with the dentist, but I'd like to be able to prepare him for what might happen if this is indeed a cavity. What can we expect if the dentist finds a cavity?
Please ensure your son that his dentist will take good care of him. You are doing the best thing by preparing him in advance for his upcoming visit. A brown discoloration on his tooth could come from a few sources. The spot could be an area of decalcification which usually occurs from lack of calcium intake, poor plaque removal, or sucking on candy. I call decalcification spots "pre-cavities," because these spots are not cavities, but can easily turn into cavities. Supplemental fluoride treatment can help strengthen these decalcified spots. The spot could be staining located in the crevices of the chewing surface of his molar. Or the spot could indeed be a cavity. The dentist will determine if it is indeed a cavity by taking an X-ray or "picture" of the tooth, as well as by using an instrument to touch the tooth to see if the spot is sticky. (I call the instrument my "tooth counter.") If the spot is sticky upon touch, this is an indication that the spot is indeed a cavity and needs repair. If the spot is hard upon touch and there is no evidence of a cavity on the X-ray, then the spot is just a discoloration and does not need treatment unless you just want it eliminated for cosmetic purposes.
If your son does have a cavity, explain to him that a cavity is when tiny bugs (plaque) or bugs mixed with sugar from candy eat a small hole in the tooth. Explain that the dentist will be cleaning out the bugs from the tooth that caused the brown spot. Let him know that it will not be uncomfortable. (Don't use the word "hurt.") The dentist will repair the cavity first by "putting the tooth to sleep" with "sleepy juice" so that your son can't feel the dentist removing the bugs with the "water drill." Once all of the bugs are removed, the dentist will be covering the hole with a white material that looks like a tooth. When the dentist is done, the tooth will be healthy again.
It's very important that you remain calm and don't panic throughout this experience. As long as you have a positive attitude and explain everything, your son should do well. Make sure that you continue to take your son for dental checkups and cleanings every 6 months to prevent problems from occurring or to catch them at the earliest stage of development.
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