What Are Cavities?
Cavities are damaged areas of the tooth that develop into tiny holes. As bacteria in your mouth combine with food and saliva, it forms a sticky substance called plaque that attaches to your teeth. Plaque is acidic and dissolves the tooth structure.
A cavity starts on the outer layer of the tooth, known as the enamel. As the cavity gets deeper and deeper, it penetrates the softer inner layer of the tooth known as the dentin. When the cavity reaches the dentin, you may notice a fair amount of pain or sensitivity.
A Destructive Process
The problem with poor oral hygiene is that it allows plaque to build up. Foods rich in sugar and starches add to the plaque’s stickiness and contribute to the destructive process. Plaque begins to harden just 20 minutes after forming, eventually turning to tartar if not adequately cleaned. Tartar can make it easier for more plaque to build up, so the problem compounds, and the cycle repeats.
The parts of teeth most vulnerable to tooth decay are areas where plaque can accumulate most easily. Plaque tends to settle into the pits and fissures on top of the teeth you use to grind food (molars.) Plaque also likes to hide between your teeth and at the gum line.
Your Cavity Fighters in Thornton
Bruggeman Dental can help your tooth decay prevention efforts. If we find a cavity, Dr. Bruggeman can prevent further decay and relieve the pain by performing a dental filling.
If your dental decay is more advanced than a cavity, we can handle it. We offer a full range of family dental services, including restorative dentistry solutions such as a root canal.
Who is at Risk of Tooth Decay?
Anybody with teeth is vulnerable to cavities. Certain things can increase your vulnerability, such as a lack of good dental hygiene and eating lots of sugary or starchy food.
Genetic factors may increase your risk of tooth decay. You may also be at a higher risk of developing tooth decay if you have a low salivary flow. Tooth size and shape, the thickness of enamel, tooth position, tooth eruption time and sequence, and your bite may contribute to a higher risk of tooth decay.
How to Prevent Cavities
Preventing cavities is easy. It’s simple, a two-step process:
- Brush your teeth regularly
- See us regularly
We recommend brushing and flossing daily. Brush your teeth with a soft-head toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste, especially after meals and before bedtime. If possible, floss after each brushing. If you can’t floss that much during the day, try to floss at least once per day.
We also recommend regular checkups, usually about twice per year. We can make sure you don’t have any cavities during your appointment and help you prevent them. We can also perform a professional cleaning to eliminate tartar. We can provide fluoride treatments to strengthen your tooth defense. We can also offer cavity-prevention solutions such as dental bonding to cover those tooth areas most vulnerable to cavities.
It’s harder to address cavities once you have them. But don’t worry. Most people tend to get a cavity now and then, and it’s not that big of a deal as long as you don’t let it go for too long without treatment.
Cavity-free in Thornton, Colorado
Cavities are a pain. Literally and figuratively. But they don’t have to be. At Bruggeman Dental in Thornton, we have the latest technology and techniques to help you get rid of any cavities you may have – and prevent them from coming back. We’ll also work with you to create a custom plan to keep your teeth healthy for years to come.
You don’t have to suffer from tooth decay anymore. Come see us at Bruggeman Dental and let us help you get your smile back. Call us today to set up an appointment.