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There's only one reason people get cavities: they allow their tooth decay to get out of control! When was the last time you had your teeth checked by a dentist? Most problems will sort themselves out within three days. Usually the problem solves itself or a solution will present itself from an unexpected source. However, there's one health issue in particular where "doing nothing" actually makes things much worse. Can you guess what that problem is: tooth decay. The human mouth is loaded with bacteria. Some of it is good, some of it is bad. The bacteria's primary food source is sugar and carbohydrates - now you probably understand why dentists tell you not to eat sugar! The more sugar you eat, the more you feed the bacteria. The leftover reside from the bacteria's sugary meal is a well known acid called plaque. If you don't remove the plaque, it will slowly erode your tooth enamel. Now that you understand the basic process that leads to tooth decay, what do you think is the best thing for you to do in order to prevent tooth decay? Actually, there are two things: avoid sugar and carbohydrates, and remove the plaque from your teeth as often as possible. If you're wondering if you have tooth decay occurring in your mouth, there are a few tell-tale signs that you should look out for: sensitivity to hot and cold fluids and food, aching teeth, and an extreme sensitivity to foods loaded with sugar. If you are experiencing any of those symptoms, you should schedule a consultation with your family dentist so he can diagnose whether or not you have a cavity. Your dentist will use two tools to surmise whether or not you have a cavity (or tooth decay). The first and most common tool is a thin metal device that he will use to scrap and poke your teeth. The prodding he performs will basically be an attempt to find weak spots on your enamel's surface. The second device is the use of x-rays. With a full set of x-rays, your dentist can easily spot tooth decay because it will appear very dark on the x-ray. He can pinpoint trouble areas almost instantly. To eliminate tooth decay, your dentist will drill-out a portion of your tooth, removing the damaged area altogether. Then he'll fill that zone with a tooth-colored composite resin. If the decay has gone well below the surface area of your tooth, your dentist may want to perform a root canal. Considering the damage a little plaque can do over a long enough time line, it's imperative that you take good care of your teeth by removing the plaque as soon as it forms. Can you guess what the first line of defense is when it comes to preventing plaque build-up? Brushing your teeth! You should brush twice a day at the very minimum; if you can brush three or four times per day, even better. You should also learn how to properly floss your teeth. The optimal time to brush your teeth is immediately following a meal. It's recommended that you find toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is believed to strengthen your tooth enamel. There's another great ingredient within toothpaste that you should look for: it's called Triclosan. It's an antibacterial agent. Home dental care is vital to your overall tooth and gum health. Outside of brushing and flossing several times a day, it's also important that you visit your dentist at least a few times a year. Your dentist will clean your teeth as well as check for potential tooth decay. It's recommended that you visit a dentist at least twice a year. You can learn more at these pages of our website: tustin dentist, dentist in tustin, and santa ana dentists.
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cavities, tooth decay, plaque removal, home dental care,
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