Dental decay comes in many different forms. The one you are probably most familiar with is a dental cavity. In this article we will discuss the causes of dental decay, different treatment options, and ways to prevent dental decay. If you live in the Southern Maine area, we would be happy to set up an appointment with or your family members at our office in Lisbon. Our team works hard to help prevent and treat various dental issues.
What Causes Dental Decay?
Dental decay refers to the process of deterioration of the teeth. When we food the leftover particles in our mouth allow various bacteria to breed and fester. Bacteria can eat away at the outermost layer of your teeth, your enamel. Your enamel does not grow back, so once it is gone, it is gone. Once through the enamel, the decay will continue to eat away at your teeth. This can cause cavities, and eventually can lead to tooth loss if not caught and treated.
How Do Dentists Fix Dental Decay?
There are a variety of restorative procedures that are used to treat dental decay. The procedure a dentist chooses will likely be picked based on what issues your teeth have. For example, when dental decay is limited to the top of your tooth, a simple filling may be the best solution. A dental filling procedure works by drilling away the decayed section of the tooth and then filing the hole with a synthetic material that is then bonded to the tooth. However, if the decay spreads to the tooth roots a root canal may be necessary. A root canal works by removing the decay in the root (the section of the tooth under the gum) and then filling the root.
How Do You Prevent Tooth Decay
There are a variety of ways you can prevent tooth decay in your mouth. Brushing twice every day & flossing is a good place to start but it isn’t the only thing you should do. Seeing your dentist twice per year can make sure that any issues are caught early and not after they have already done damage to your teeth. Additionally dentists have a variety of preventative procedures like dental sealants that can help provide extra protection against decay. Finally, avoiding things like smoking, highly acidic food/beverages, and sugary foods can also help.
Family Dental Office in Lisbon
If you are worried about dental decay we would be happy to discuss ways to prevent decay here at our office in Lisbon. For more information, please contact our dental offices.