Cavities are inconvenient, irritating, and often dangerous to your oral health. They can form due to multiple reasons, such as excessive consumption of sugary foods or poor oral hygiene processes. By understanding how cavities form, spread, and function, you can minimize the amount of damage that they are able to do to your teeth. In most cases, by the time you notice the symptoms of tooth decay, it will be too late to reverse the damage with natural methods. You will need to consult your dentist to prevent the damage from spreading to other areas of the tooth. Here at Hendersonville Family Dental, we strive to provide all of the services that are necessary to ensure that your teeth remain in the best possible condition. Our knowledgeable professionals are skilled at optimizing the health of your teeth.
Signs of Cavities
Knowing the signs of cavity formation is vital in catching the cavity before it is allowed to escalate to extreme degrees. This can make it less expensive and difficult to prevent further damage from occurring to your mouth. Various kinds of pain may indicate the presence of tooth decay in the tooth. This can include continuous pain, occasional sharp and excruciating pain, or even pain when biting down. Another sign of cavities is tooth sensitivity. This happens when teeth feel uncomfortable or even painful when exposed to hot, cold, or sweet substances.
Other cues can be detected through the use of other senses. For example, grey, black, or brown spots indicate that decay is setting in to the tooth. Pits or holes also indicate the formation of cavities, though this may only be detectable through an x-ray. An unpleasant taste in the mouth or bad breath may also signal that cavities are forming in your teeth. In extremely serious cases, pus can indicate the presence of cavities, though you will have hopefully caught the cavity before it escalates to this point.
Causes of Cavities
Understanding the causes of cavities can help you to prevent them. Cavities can form when plaque builds up on the teeth, which leads to an increased production of acid. This acid eats away at the enamel of the teeth. Sugary food and drinks make the teeth vulnerable to these acid attacks, as well as feed the spread of bacteria. Insufficient dental hygiene routines will be unable to remove the plaque and bacteria that cause teeth to decay. Smoking can cause the mouth to dry out, which can cause a significant amount of damage to the teeth. Excessive alcohol consumption can similarly damage the teeth, particularly if it contains sugar. Frequent snacking throughout the day will cause your teeth to consistently be vulnerable, which can lead to the formation of cavities.
How to Limit the Spread of Tooth Decay
Once tooth decay has occurred, there are few methods that can help to reverse it, especially if it has been allowed to progress. However, there are many methods for limiting the spread of the decay and minimizing the damage to your teeth. Fluoride treatments are great methods for minimizing tooth decay. They can help to remineralize the teeth, as well as prevent the spread of bacteria. Fluoride treatments are popular methods for strengthening the enamel of the teeth, which is certain to wear down over time. From fluoride gels to mouth wash, there are many methods to increase the level of fluoride your teeth are exposed to.
Maintaining an effective oral hygiene routine is vital to minimize the spread of decay. This means visiting your dentist every six months, as well as brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once. When tooth decay has occurred, dentists often have the superior services to halt the spread. The amount that the decay has been able to progress will determine the appropriate method for protecting the tooth. This may include everything from a filling to the necessity of extraction.
Reversing Cavities Naturally
Techniques for reversing cavities are generally only effective when implemented in the early stages of tooth decay. However, there are a few methods that can help either minimize the possibility of escalation or reverse the damage that has already been done. It is important to keep in mind that prevention is the best course of action to take when it comes to the health of your teeth.
Ultimately, techniques for reversing cavities will come down primarily to improving your nutrition. Better nutrition leads to healthier teeth. Healthy fats, like avocados or cheese, can help to protect your teeth from cavities. It is important to reduce your phytic acid intake to reduce the likelihood of further damage occurring to your teeth. Vitamin D, natural probiotics, and calcium can all be used to significantly strengthen your teeth. Fluoride treatments help to remineralize the teeth and prevent any escalation to the damage of the enamel.
Reversing Deep Cavities
When cavities reach a certain level, the only way to fix them is through the services of a dentist. The appropriate methods will be determined primarily based on the extent of the damage to the tooth. In extreme situations, the tooth will have to be extracted. After it has been extracted, there will need to be an implement to replace the tooth to prevent the teeth from shifting or the jawbone from losing mass. If the tooth decay has penetrated into the pulp of the tooth, it is likely that a root canal will be required to clean the infection from the tooth. If the tooth decay has not escalated to the pulp, chances are that the cavity can be repaired with the use of a simple filling. If you experience extreme pain or pus around the tooth, you should obtain emergency services immediately.
Cavities can lead to a wide array of serious dental problems. It is important to pay close attention to the health of your teeth. Regular dental visits can go a long way toward catching potential issues in the early stages, which will prevent them from escalating. To schedule your regular dental cleaning, contact us at Hendersonville Family Dental today!
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