Dr. Keith Boenning and Dr. Nate Dancykier are dentists in Towson, MD that prevent and treat many dental issues. Tooth decay, or dental cavities, is a common problem they see on a daily basis. It is very prevalent among children however adults still suffer from dental cavities as well.
What is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is when there is damage to the surface of the tooth. It is caused by plaque that sits on your tooth for too long. Eventually, plaque will begin to eat away at the tooth enamel. Plaque is a substance that forms in our mouths every day when saliva combines with sugars and starches from food.
It contains bacteria and acids that are not good for your teeth. This is why you must brush your teeth multiple times a day. Otherwise, the plaque will damage your teeth leading to tooth decay.
Treatment for Tooth Decay
Tooth Filling
Dental fillings have been used for many years in dentistry to treat tooth decay. This conservative treatment will stop the decay from progressing and also fix the damage it caused. Your dentist will prepare the tooth by removing any remaining decay. Then they will fill the space with a composite resin material that will blend in with your tooth.
Restorative Dental Care
If a tooth cavity is left untreated, it will continue to progress and grow larger. The longer you wait to have it treated, the more damage your tooth will suffer. In this case, your dentist may need to use various restorative dental treatments to fix your teeth.
If a good portion of a tooth is missing, you may need an inlay, onlay, or dental crown. Tooth decay that has been left untreated for years may require extraction.
How to Avoid Tooth Decay
You can easily avoid tooth decay by being committed to a good oral care routine. This is something everyone needs to do for their entire life. A good oral hygiene routine includes daily brushing and flossing. You also need to visit the dentist twice a year for teeth cleanings. In addition to cleaning, we also offer sealants to help avoid cavities.
Teeth Cleanings
Our dental hygienists perform teeth cleanings at every dentist appointment. We recommend that you visit us every six months for these cleanings. They help remove built-up plaque and tartar on your teeth in hard-to-reach places. If you skip these necessary appointments, plaque and tartar will eat away at your enamel and cause decay.
Dental Sealants
We also offer dental sealants which are thin coatings of plastic that we paint onto the back molars. They will stick to the surface of the teeth where tooth decay is prevalent. We typically apply these to children’s molars when they erupt. Children are more prone to tooth decay due to a lack of proper oral hygiene and too much sugar consumption. Dental Sealants are an extra layer of protection to help children avoid cavities.
If you need to book your routine dental exam or suspect you have a cavity, contact our local Towson, MD dentist office at 410.324.2294 or request your dentist appointment online.