Has it been a while since you last visited your dentist? Staying on top of your six-month attendance schedule is one of your best weapons when it comes to preventing tooth decay and gum disease. When you come to our office, you allow your dentist and hygienist to inspect the results of your daily brushing and flossing routine and remove plaque and tartar deposits that you cannot remove on your own. In fact, waiting for a symptom to appear before visiting the dentist often means the decay process has already progressed to an advanced state. This is why it is so important to visit regularly before plaque can create cavities that harm the integrity of your smile.
We here at your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office stress the importance of preventing decay and disease before they even start. When you receive a cleaning and examination, you gain the confidence of understanding the current health of your teeth. This means identifying cavities and other oral threats early when they do appear as well.
Tooth Decay Results From Plaque Buildup
When oral bacteria feed on the remnants of your meals, they combine to form a sticky film on the surface of your teeth called dental plaque. When not properly removed, this film can lead to several oral health problems including cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. While it may seem like a minor inconvenience, dental plaque can have serious consequences when you do not remove it with daily oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist. Left untreated, your plaque produces an acidic waste product that erodes your surface enamel. As the enamel weakens, a permanent hole, or cavity, can form that alters the structure of your tooth and exposes its insides to possible infection. This can lead to the eventual need for a root canal therapy or full extraction when not treated in a timely manner.
Placing A Dental Filling To Treat Your Cavity
While the goal of preventive care is to prevent the decay process in the first place, it is still possible to receive a cavity from time to time. By visiting us twice per year, we can detect decay before it becomes worse. We recommend treating any cavities right away and can use special tools to remove your decaying dental material. Because your enamel no longer completely protects the inside of your tooth, we can place a dental filling to prevent reinfection.
Talk To Your Ankeny, IA, Dentist About Treating And Preventing Tooth Decay
Your dentist is your best friend when it comes to protecting your smile! If you would like to find out more about our practice or have questions about other oral health concerns, please call your Ankeny, IA, dentist’s office at (515) 965-0230 to schedule a visit.
