Preventative dentistry can save you so much time, money, and even pain. Going to the dentist can be simple, easy, and even pleasant if you maintain six-month preventative check-ups. By doing this we can find the early signs of decay and prevent it from spreading or treat it early with tooth-colored fillings. In today’s blog, we discuss how to preserve more of your natural teeth with your helpful dentists in Allen, TX.
How Do We Identify Tooth Decay?
There are several ways to identify tooth decay. Ideally, it’s not because you’ve come in with a terrible toothache and there is already an easily visible hole in your tooth! The best way is through our excellent digital x-ray technology. This tech can identify tooth decay in its early stages. If we see it in its incipient stage, it is just within the hard protective enamel layer. This is good news because we can re-mineralize this start of decay with various products or fluoride treatments.
How Can We Prevent Tooth Decay
We can prevent decay through excellent hygiene practices by being consistent with brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. It is so important to floss all the way below the gum line to be sure cavity-causing bacteria are being removed from between the teeth. Cavities between the teeth can be common since many people neglect to clean this vulnerable area. Using fluoride toothpaste is helpful but in-office fluoride treatments are ideal and much more effective. We will recommend various helpful products based on your individual symptoms like dry mouth, acid reflux, and more.
Our Approach to Filling Teeth
If a cavity has been detected and has progressed beyond the enamel into the second layer of the tooth, we need to fill it. Hopefully, the decay is just entering the dentin layer and we can perform a very conservative composite filling. This filling material bonds to enamel, unlike the old metal fillings. This makes them stronger and more resistant to shrinkage and leaking. It is important to fill cavities as soon as they enter the more delicate layers of your teeth. Decay can spread quickly depending on the circumstances, so to keep more of your natural tooth, we need to act quickly.
Schedule Your Exam Today
Please partner with our team and keep up with your six-month dental check-ups. Our goal is to help keep your teeth and gums healthy to prevent tooth decay and other infections. We love seeing healthy happy patients, so call our team at Allen Family Dental in Allen, TX at (469)342-6644!
