It's no secret that maintaining good oral health is essential for keeping your teeth strong and free from decay. By making regular dentist appointments, practicing effective dental hygiene at home, and avoiding foods or beverages high in sugar, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities. While 60-90% of children worldwide and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities, tooth decay is, for the most part, preventable.
Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, is a progressive damage to tooth structure that occurs due to an infectious process. It begins when a sticky film called plaque accumulates on the surfaces of your teeth. As the harmful bacteria in dental plaque metabolize the sugars in your diet, they produce acids that can erode healthy tooth enamel over time.
Without proper care, a cavity can lead to significant damage to tooth structure, irreversible damage to the nerve of the tooth, a dental infection, tooth loss, and even more severe consequences to your overall health and well-being. By staying proactive about your oral hygiene, you can protect your teeth from these risks.
At Greensboro Office, we provide the highest level of skilled and experienced care to help reduce your risk for tooth decay and detect cavities early in their onset, when they are typically easiest to treat. Remember, excellent oral hygiene, a nutritious diet low in sweets, regular dental checkups, and cleanings are the best ways to protect the health of your smile.
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 with the best oral care practices, however, plaque can still hide in spots too difficult for a toothbrush to reach. For this reason, we advise professional teeth cleanings 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. Our dedicated staff works hard to ensure that our patients of all ages receive the best possible care to maintain optimal oral health.
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 remove 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 indicated. By staying proactive about your oral health and seeking professional dental care when needed, you can maintain a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns about your oral health. Our dedicated staff is always here to help!
