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Your teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but sometimes, they need a little help. One of the most common dental issues is tooth decay or cavities, which can lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. The good news is that maintaining good oral hygiene and making healthy lifestyle choices can significantly reduce your risk of developing tooth decay.
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, occurs because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. It begins when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, accumulates on the surfaces of your teeth. As these bacteria metabolize the sugars in your diet, they produce acids which can eat away at healthy tooth structure.
Without proper care, a cavity can lead to significant damage to your teeth, infection, tooth loss, and even more severe consequences for your overall health. Some factors that can contribute to your risk of developing tooth decay include:
At our office, we take a proactive approach to prevent tooth decay. We provide the highest level of skilled and experienced care to help reduce your risk for developing cavities and diagnose them early when they are typically easier to treat.
We believe that excellent oral hygiene, a nutritious diet low in sweets, routine dental cleanings and checkups are the best ways to protect the health of your smile. Our dedicated team provides essential dietary guidance and demonstrates effective home care methods to help people of all ages maintain optimal oral health.
By brushing and flossing your teeth each day as recommended, you can help prevent the buildup of dental plaque which is responsible for dental disease. Even for those with good brushing and flossing habits, plaque can still hide and harden in spots too difficult for a toothbrush to reach. That's why we recommend professional teeth cleaning twice a year at checkup time.
In this way, our hygienist can remove any residual plaque you may have missed while brushing and guide you on better practices for maintaining optimal oral hygiene at home. For children who are particularly vulnerable to cavities, we also provide periodic fluoride treatments and place dental sealants to strengthen and shield their teeth.
While being proactive is the best way to prevent tooth decay, there's no need to despair if a cavity does develop. With early detection and care, our dentist will gently and precisely excavate the diseased and damaged tooth structure and place a long-lasting filling to rebuild the integrity of your tooth. We use the latest generations of biocompatible tooth-colored materials to expertly restore the appearance and function of your tooth. Your new restoration will be durable, attractive, and blend seamlessly with your smile. For deep tooth decay, we may recommend a full-coverage crown and additional treatment as needed.
If you suspect that you may have tooth decay or simply want to take proactive steps towards maintaining good oral health, please don't hesitate to contact us for more information or to schedule an appointment. Our caring and experienced team is here to help keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Our goal is to help every patient experience the benefits of good oral health and a beautiful smile. We value the trust you have placed in our office and strive to provide solutions that meet your dental needs and expectations of care.
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