Protecting Your Smile After Tooth Decay

When you learn that you have a cavity, it can be a sign to recommit to your oral hygiene. By making more of an effort to brush and floss regularly, while scheduling routine checkups, you can reduce the likelihood of developing further carries. Although it is disappointing to learn your smile is damaged, this opportunity can lead to additional healthy habits as well. By reducing the amount of sugar you include in your diet, you limit the material on which oral bacteria thrive. Similarly, increasing your fruit and vegetable intake can bolster your body’s ability to preserve your oral health. Your dentist can discuss any other behaviors that hurt the strength of your enamel. We could suggest quitting tobacco use, for instance, if you are a smoker. By staying on top of your cleaning appointments, we can clear the plaque and tartar that lead to tooth decay while providing the chance to discover threats quickly after they first appear.

At your Prairie Village, KS, dental office, we encourage a preventive attitude toward caring for your smile. This combines your at-home daily oral hygiene efforts with regular cleanings that keep your smile free of material that can wear away at your teeth. At your exam, we can take X-rays that go into your dental record to get a better picture of your existing smile. By comparing your teeth to these images at future visits, we know how developments in your health progress. If it has been longer than you would like to admit since your last checkup, please give us a call!

The Contributing Factors That Lead To Cavities

While no one looks forward to tooth decay, the vast majority of adults will experience a cavity at least once in their lifetime. This means you should not feel ashamed if your dentist lets you know about the damage to your smile. Take this time to review your oral hygiene practices and consider food and drinks that can contribute to plaque buildup. Sugary snacks, sodas, and juice create an environment where oral bacteria thrive. Therefore, making substitutions in your daily habits can quickly reduce the likelihood of developing another cavity.

Restoring Your Smile With Fillings And Crowns

Taking an X-ray of your dental damage helps us determine its size and scope. We could recommend placing a dental filling immediately after removing your decay. Composite resin provides a lifelike appearance for your restoration and allows you to return immediately to your daily oral habits. For more involved cases, we can plan a dental crown that covers the entire visible portion of your tooth.

SpeakWith Your Prairie Village, KS, Dentist About Your Options To Treat Your Cavity

Tooth decay does not have to leave a permanent mark on your smile. To learn more about how we prevent and treat the effects of tooth decay, contact our Prairie Village, KS dentist’s office today at (913) 901-8585.