Tooth decay or cavities occur due to the build-up of acid produced by plaque on teeth. If dental plaque is not removed during brushing or flossing, it can lead to oral health issues like dental abscesses, gum disease, or dental caries (holes in the teeth). Take care of your tooth decay in Concord Mills, and Northlake near Charlotte, NC, by visiting our dental clinic.
Cavities and tooth decay are part of the world’s most common health issues, and they are mostly found in teenagers, older adults, and children. These dental defects can increase and penetrate the deeper layers of the teeth if not treated. Dr. Taj Haynes and Dr. Pernell Rogers – our family dentists in Northlake and Concord Mills can help you fight teeth cavities and maintain beautiful and healthy smiles.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Several individuals have cavities and live with them; some do not even know the causes of tooth decay. Nonetheless, tooth decay develops due to dental plaque, plaque attacks, and continuous destruction of the teeth by bacteria and acid. Let’s look at the risks and causes of tooth decay.
1. Sugar and Carbohydrates
If you are among those with a history of dental issues, it will be in your best interest to avoid sugary foods and carbohydrates. Foods like milk, dried fruit, hard candy, cakes, ice cream, dry cereal, and others that cling to the teeth for a long period will cause decay. Other non-sugary foods can be easily washed away by saliva.
2. Lack of Fluoride
Since fluoride is a mineral, it helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. It is capable of reversing the earliest stages of damage to your tooth. Because fluoride is beneficial to the teeth it is often added to municipal water supplies. Your mouthwash and toothpaste should contain fluoride.
3. Dry Mouth
Lack of saliva causes dry mouth, and saliva plays a protective role in your mouth by neutralizing acids and helping to remineralize enamel. A dry mouth can increase vulnerability to tooth decay. Your risk of cavities due to low saliva production increases if you take specific medications like chemotherapy drugs or have certain medical conditions such as acid reflux and diabetes.
4. Heartburn
Stomach acid can flow into your mouth, weaken your teeth’s enamel, and cause tooth damage if you have heartburn. To help you prevent dental decay in Concord Mills, our dentists advise that you consult a doctor for checkups to see if you need treatment for stomach acid issues.
5. Eating Disorders
The most common eating disorders that lead to cavities and tooth erosion are bulimia and anorexia. When eating disorders cause vomiting, the stomach acid that emerges reacts with the teeth, thereby wearing down the enamel. Eating disorders can also interfere with your saliva production.
Impacts of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can be scary, especially if you’re unaware of its severity. Here are some impacts of tooth decay you might notice:
1. Pain and Discomfort
As tooth decay progresses, you will begin to have pain in your teeth, gums, and mouth. You might gradually become sensitive to sweet, cold, or hot foods.
2. Tooth Infections
Avoiding regular dental checkups can lead to untreated decay and, by extension, dental abscesses. Note that these infections can spread to other body parts, so they must be treated during their early stages. To help our clients, we offer treatment for dental cavities in Northlake.
3. Tooth Loss
Dental decay can become severe to the point of costing you a tooth or more. Severe decay can cause your teeth to become so compromised that they must be extracted. We understand that you are particular about choosing a dental clinic to attend to your dental issues. Our dentists are dedicated to helping residents treat tooth decay in Charlotte.
4. Aesthetics Concerns
Teeth cavities and decay can lead to visible discoloration and loss of tooth structure, affecting your smile’s health and appearance. Contact us to address these concerns and for tooth decay treatment in Northlake.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay
Prevent tooth decay and fight tooth cavities by doing the following:
1. Do Not Ignore Fluoride
Brush your teeth twice daily with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. It is advisable to brush after every meal and particularly before bed. You can clean between your teeth by flossing or using an interdental cleaner to remove debris and dental plaque. An interdental cleaner is a dental tool or device designed to clean the spaces between your teeth that regular toothbrushes can’t reach. It includes tools like dental floss, interdental brushes, soft picks, and water flossers.
2. Use Dental Sealants
Sealants are protective plastic coating applied to your back teeth to protect the chewing surface. It prevents the tiny space between your teeth from collecting food remnants, protecting the enamel from acid and plaque.
3. Regular Dental Checkups
You already know this, but for reminder purposes, visit your dentist regularly. Our dentists offer tooth decay treatment in Northlake to tackle decay and restore your teeth to good health. Seek out a dentist to perform your regular professional oral exams and teeth cleaning.
4. Good Oral Hygiene
As for maintaining good oral hygiene, we advise that you brush twice daily, avoid sugary foods, and floss regularly. Since your oral hygiene affects your overall oral health, we advise that you stick to eating balanced and nutritious meals to avoid tooth decay.
Address Tooth Decay in Concord Mills, and Northlake Near Charlotte, NC
Are you trying to be more intentional about your teeth and prevent tooth decay in Concord Mills, and Northlake near Charlotte, NC? Modern Family Dental Care is your go-to dental clinic. As a family dental practice, we prioritize your oral health, listen to your complaints, and offer lasting solutions. As part of our goals, which are to create beautiful, confident, and healthy smiles and enhance and transform lives, we are committed to treating dental cavities in Northlake for our wonderful patients. Contact us or book an appointment to see one of our gentle dentists.
