Cavities: The Most Common Dental Health Concern
Bacteria feed on sugar and food debris that get trapped between the teeth. These multiply and spread when not controlled with strict oral hygiene. Tooth decay occurs when the acidic byproduct left behind by oral bacteria wears away the protective tooth enamel, leaving the tooth structure susceptible to infection.
We offer several treatment options for tooth decay at our dental office in Montclair, CA. Depending on how severe the decay is, your dentist may recommend one of the following treatments:
- Dental Filling: If caught in the early stages, tooth decay can be easily treated with a routine dental filling. This is a conservative treatment aimed at preserving the tooth if it is weakened from a tooth cavity. The filling will restore the tooth's strength and protect the tooth from future damage and decay.
- Root Canal: If the dental cavity has been left untreated, it may extend to the tooth's root canal. This typically causes extreme pain or an infection. Root canal therapy is necessary to save your tooth from extraction. It can effectively remove tooth decay without compromising the integrity of the jaw or bite.
- Dental Crown: Dental crowns may be recommended to treat a wide range of restorative and cosmetic dental concerns, including tooth cavities. For large cavities, your dentist may choose a dental crown to cover the tooth and restore stability after the decay has been removed. The dental crowns can be designed and fabricated in our office using the E4D CAD/CAM system in a single visit.
- Extraction: We will extract the tooth if the decay is too severe and we feel we cannot save it. Extracting a severely damaged tooth is a last resort. Your dentist will make every attempt to preserve the natural tooth.
Cavities Are Most Commonly Caused by a Lack of Good Oral Hygiene
Tooth decay can usually be prevented. Good at-home oral hygiene and routine dental health exams with your dentist can help keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free. Biannual dental health exams are the best way to prevent the progression of tooth decay. Regularly scheduling oral exams allows for early diagnosis and intervention. In between your six-month exams and professional dental cleanings, daily brushing and flossing are key to maintaining your good oral health. Brushing and flossing thoroughly and adequately removes the daily build-up of debris and helps to control the spread of oral bacteria.
Practicing good oral hygiene and visiting the dentist on a biannual basis decreases your risk of developing tooth decay and associated secondary dental concerns. Patients with high rates of tooth decay are more prone to developing gum disease and tooth loss.
A healthy diet low in sugar can also help to prevent tooth decay. Diets high in sugar can increase rates of tooth decay. If you partake in an occasional sugary drink or snack, be sure to brush your teeth immediately after to prevent the build-up of sugary residue on the surfaces of your teeth.