Cavities are one of the most common problems that occur in dental patients. Although they can happen frequently, they should not be ignored. Dental decay can be prevented with proper oral hygiene and regular trips to the dentist. However, if you do develop a cavity, your team at Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN can restore it with a natural-looking filling. This can help stop the progression of a cavity and protect your teeth.
What Causes Cavities
Cavities are caused by bacteria in your mouth. Without proper prevention, this bacteria can turn into plaque buildup which can deteriorate the enamel of your tooth. This is what causes the hole that forms in your tooth. Nearly every person will have at least one instance of dental decay in their life, but there are a few things that can increase your likelihood. First, skipping your oral hygiene routine can make it difficult to get rid of harmful bacteria. Consuming foods that are high in sugar or carbohydrates, and dry mouth can also increase your susceptibility to developing caries.
Preventing Tooth Decay
As previously mentioned, this is a common but preventable problem. You should be practicing oral hygiene at home as well as seeing your dentist twice a year. Brushing and flossing help remove food and drink particles from throughout the day. Your biannual checkups also provide an opportunity for plaque buildup to be removed. Once this has built up, it can be difficult to remove on your own with a toothbrush. Your dentist will use special tools to gently scrape it off. These checkups also include examinations that can detect decay early. If decay is recognized before a carie has fully formed, improved hygiene and fluoride treatments may be able to reverse the problem. If a carie has already developed, a filling can help repair the area.
Why We Use Dental Fillings
To treat a decayed tooth, the damaged part will need to be removed and cleaned. Then, a dental-safe material will be used to fill the space that has been left behind. These steps help restore the tooth after it has been weakened by decay and help protect the structure from bacteria entering it in the future.
In our office, we opt to use composite resin fillings for this process. This material blends in with your smile, is highly durable, and bonds easily to many surfaces. Many patients prefer this over metal due to metal fillings being highly visible and uncomfortable in some cases. Less of your tooth will need to be removed during the process to add the composite resin.
Talk To Your Dentist About This Restoration
Give us a call at Cedar West Dental in Richfield, MN today at (612)861-7188 to schedule a checkup, or to book a restoration.
