What are dental caries?
Tooth decay, also known as cavities or caries, is a condition that can cause irreversible damage to a natural tooth. It creates a hole in the tooth’s enamel which can become broader and deeper without proper diagnosis and treatment.
What causes dental caries?
Poor oral health habits often cause the development of dental caries. Drs. Gregory Bennett Andrew Timmerman often recommend that patients avoid sugary or acidic foods that can contribute to cavities. Regular dental cleanings and dental exams in Arvada, CO allow our dental team to help monitor the smile’s health and look for the early signs of cavities. Once detected, treatment options are discussed.
What may be recommended as dental caries treatment?
While dental fillings can help repair a tooth, it is best to avoid developing dental caries in the first place. In addition to dental fillings, if the area of decay is extensive, a dental filling might not be enough to repair the tooth successfully. In situations such as this, our team may recommend not only a dental filling but the fabrication and placement of a dental crown. Dental crowns are porcelain “caps” that are placed over the natural tooth structure to offer an extra layer of strength and protection. They are used in conjunction with fillings to restore a tooth that has been impacted by dental caries.
How do I get rid of dental caries?
Once dental caries has developed, the only way to get rid of them is to remove the decayed tooth structure and place a dental filling. This keeps the area of decay from becoming larger and deeper, resulting in more invasive treatments to address, such as root canal therapy. Alternatively, if a cavity is left to get larger without treatment, patients may need the tooth extracted if root canal therapy cannot resolve the problem.
While fillings can be used to address dental caries, they do not get rid of them in the sense that they no longer exist. Instead, patients should prevent the development of cavities in the first place. Below are a few recommendations from Drs. Gregory Bennett and Andrew Timmerman of Arvada Dental Center:
- Brush the teeth after every meal with a soft-bristled brush and a quality fluoride toothpaste
- Floss teeth, preferably at the minimum of once a day to remove food particles between the teeth
- Call the dental office to make an appointment every six months for a cleaning and dental examination
- Call the dentist as soon as problems or changes arise, even if it is before your next scheduled appointment
- Pay close attention to issues such as pain and sensitivity that might indicate that a cavity has formed and needs the help of a dental professional to resolve
Schedule a visit at Arvada Dental Center today
Drs. Gregory Bennett and Andrew Timmerman of Arvada, CO are a dental team open to new patients in the community who are seeking solutions regarding the ways they can care for their smiles. If you are interested in preventative dentistry and want to speak to a professional about improving the health of the smile, contact our team today by calling (303) 720-7465 to request an appointment. The office is located at 5220 Wadsworth Bypass, Unit C.
