The main goal of an effective oral hygiene routine is protecting your teeth and gums from the corroding effects of oral bacteria. When you brush your teeth each morning and at night, you remove the sticky films of plaque that contribute to tooth decay and gum disease. Although your daily routine is necessary to prevent damage from oral bacteria, you can still develop a cavity from time to time. Cavities are the result of acids wearing away at your enamel and forming permanent holes. If this happens, you require professional treatment to remove decaying material and provide a permanent seal to protect your tooth.
At your Prairie Village, KS, dental practice, we help you maintain a healthy smile by cleaning your teeth on a regular basis. When you come in for your six-month checkup, we also examine your mouth for any signs of disease. If we detect a cavity, we can place a restoration such as a dental filling to prevent bacteria from further damaging your tooth.
How Bacteria Attack Your Teeth
The enamel on the surface of your teeth is a wonderful material. Not only does it provide the bright, white appearance of a beautiful smile, but it protects the sensitive inner layer of your teeth as well. When you brush and floss daily, you remove bacterial deposits that threaten the health of this layer. Left uncleaned, bacteria can form a plaque that produces acid as it feeds on debris from your meals. This acidic byproduct weakens the enamel layer and can eventually cause a permanent hole or cavity. By regularly visiting your dentist, you receive a professional cleaning and examination to prevent decay or detect it before it becomes worse.
Removing Decay And Restoring Your Tooth
At your six-month checkup, we will inspect your smile for any signs of decay. If we do discover a cavity, we will recommend treating it at your earliest convenience. The removal process requires permanently altering the structure of your tooth by drilling out the decaying material. This means you require a permanent seal to protect the inside of your tooth from reinfection. A dental filling may be able to restore your tooth while blending in with its natural appearance. For more significantly damaged teeth, a dental crown can restore the entire tooth above the gum line to provide added support.
Talk To Your Prairie Village, KS Dentist About Treating Cavities With A Dental Filling
Failing to treat tooth decay in a timely manner can lead to advanced problems with your oral health. By removing your cavity and restoring your tooth, we can help you maintain a robust smile! For more information on how we prevent and treat the effects of tooth decay, contact our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office today at 913-901-8585.
