Do you regularly attend visits to your dentist every six months? Routine cleaning and examination allows us to inspect the efforts of your daily brushing and flossing and determine if the effects of tooth decay are present. When left untreated, food and bacteria deposits can form a sticky plaque that leads to the degradation of your enamel. As the enamel wears away, tiny holes in your teeth form and make you vulnerable to eventually losing the tooth or infecting the root of your pulp. This is why it is so important to detect and treat cavities in a timely fashion. Placing a dental filling will support the healthy structure of your tooth after removing decaying material. At your Ankeny, IA dentist’s office, we use this conservative solution to protect the health of your enamel and stop the spread of decay. Be sure to visit us on a regular basis and prevent any possible cavities from becoming worse.
Preventing Tooth Decay
The best solution to treat cavities is to prevent their formation in the first place! This is why it is so important to practice healthy habits that preserve the health of your enamel. Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth produce acids that wear away at the surface of the enamel. Because these bacteria feed and grow on remnant debris from your meals, you must brush and floss each day to stop this environment from forming. Food and drink high in sugar content are associated with higher cavity risk, but decay can strike anyone no matter their diet. For this reason, everyone should attend regular visits to the dentist to examine their teeth.
Identifying And Treating Decay With A Dental Filling
At your routine checkup and examination, we will always perform a cleaning to help you prevent decay from taking hold. Our hygienist will carefully remove harmful plaque and tartar deposits that you are unable to address with a standard toothbrush at home. When performing an evaluation, we will check for signs of decay and plan treatment with a dental filling when necessary. We first remove decaying material from your tooth to stop continuous infection and then place a composite material to fill the hole. Modern treatments give us the ability to match the shade of the material to your natural teeth to better enhance the appearance of your grin!
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA Dentist About Treating Tooth Decay With A Dental Filling
To prevent the spread of tooth decay, regularly attend dental visits for examination and cleaning. We can often treat cavities with dental fillings before they become worse. If you would like to find out more about this service or have questions about other oral health issues, please call our Ankeny, IA dentist’s office at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.