Real Talk: What does it mean to watch?

This blog post was originally posted on carifree.com/blog

What does it mean to watch? I got a phone call from a good friend the other day. She had just returned from a dental appointment and had some questions…

“During my exam, my dentist rattled off several numbers to watch. I’m assuming the numbers were referring to my teeth, but what does it mean to watch them?” she asked.

“Sounds like your dentist sees a few areas where cavities are wanting to start but they haven’t advanced to the point where you would need a filling yet,” I replied.

“What is the doctor watching for?” “He is keeping an eye on them to determine when/if they need to be filled. Your teeth are made up of several layers, the outermost layer is the enamel. Although enamel is the strongest substance in the body, if your mouth becomes acidic enough the enamel can start to dissolve and weaken. Weaker areas in the enamel will appear darker on an x-ray. Those are the areas your dentist wants to watch.”

“He showed me a couple places on my x-rays where it’s a little dark between my teeth. But if I have a cavity, why doesn’t he say I need a filling?” “That’s where the term ‘watch’ comes in. It isn’t until the demineralization or decay has penetrated through the enamel that a filling becomes necessary. In some cases, these areas can actually harden and remineralize and not need a filling.”

“What should I be doing to help the ‘watch’ areas remineralize before they become cavities?” she asked, sounding genuinely concerned.

“That’s a great question! Continue brushing twice a day and flossing too. Your dentist will likely recommend a mouthrinse for you to use based on your needs. Use a fluoride containing toothpaste that also helps aid in remineralization like the CTx4 Gel. Your oral pH dips especially low after snacks and mealtimes so be sure to rinse your mouth with water or chew CTx2 xylitol gum.”

“How long do you think my dentist will watch my teeth before I’ll know if I need a filling or not?” “Your dentist will determine when to place a filling based on several factors. If you have an active biofilm, or high levels of cavity causing bacteria, your dentist may decide to fill your tooth sooner than later. The higher the level of cariogenic bacteria in your mouth, the more likely you will need a filling. If you don’t have an active biofilm, your dentist may choose to be more conservative and wait a bit longer.”

Have any questions? Just ask!

Source: carifree.com/blog