WANTE D Streptococcus mutans FOR causing cavities Last

WANTE D Streptococcus mutans FOR causing cavities Last Spotted Description • Streptococcus mutans is a cylindrical shaped bacterium that lives in the mouth. • This bacterium survives in temperature ranging from 64104 degrees Fahrenheit • It is important to understand this because almost half of all dental visits are caused by Streptococcus mutans. Most Common Injury Cavity. A cavity develops when a tooth decays, or breaks down. Cavities can also be called dental caries, and if you have a cavity, it’s important to get it repaired. How does a cavity form? There is a slimy substance called plaque in the mouth which is made up of germs. Streptococcus mutans makes acids and together with the plaque, the acids can eat away at the outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel. Eating candy frequently can also cause cavities because the sugar creates an acidic environment in the mouth. Victims Cavities are usually found in children and young adults. (This does not mean that adults will not get cavities, but they are at a lesser risk of getting cavities). Today: in the US, 54 million, or 26 % of children aged two to seventeen have no cavities in their permanent teeth. In baby teeth, 60% of children under ten had no cavities. Past: 1971 -1974, the percentage of children in the same age group had more than double the amount of cavities • In the mouth we have streptococci plates that are found on all of our teeth. • There are many other bacteria that live in our mouth. Streptococcus mutans, makes up thirty to sixty percent of the total bacteria living on the surfaces of human teeth, tongue, cheeks, and in saliva. Treatment and Prevention • Brush with proper technique twice a day. Tilt brush at Bristles should Brush behind a 45° angle contact tooth your teeth and gum line Brush biting surface of teeth • Floss with proper technique daily. Wind 18” of floss around middle fingers Hold floss Guide floss Curve floss in tightly against C shape between tooth between gum thumbs and tooth forefinger If your dentist discovers a cavity, he or she can repair it for you by first removing the rotted part of your tooth with a special drill. The dentist then fills the hole in your tooth with a special material. The result is called a filling. Does it hurt? Sometimes it does, but your dentist can give you anesthetic. That's a kind of medicine that will numb the area around the problem tooth while you're getting your new filling. Next to the common cold, cavities are the second most common of disorders occurring in people. 2. 43 billion people worldwide are affected. REWARD Floss and a toothbrush