Dental hygiene is vital for maintaining healthy teeth and gums, yet many people continue to suffer from tooth decay and other oral health issues. According to the World Health Organization, 60-90% of children worldwide, and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities. Fortunately, regular checkups and preventive care can drastically lower your risk of tooth decay.

The Anatomy of a Cavity

Cavities form when dental plaque is not consistently removed from around the teeth and gums. Your risk for tooth decay also increases if your diet is high in sugary sweets, acidic foods, and beverages, or if dry mouth, teeth grinding, receding gums, and deeply grooved dental enamel are present. As a result of these factors, bacteria can thrive on the surface of your teeth, producing acids that erode the tooth enamel and create cavities.

The Importance of Preventive Care

At our office, we emphasize the importance of dental prevention as the best way to maintain optimal oral health. We also encourage routine checkups to allow for the early detection and treatment of dental disease. While cavities are almost entirely preventable, it's essential to treat any developing tooth decay early in its onset. In this way, further damage and more severe consequences to your oral health and overall well-being can be avoided.

Creating a Winning Oral Care Routine

When you visit our office for a checkup, you can rest assured that your smile is in the best of hands. We employ the most advanced dental technology and techniques to carefully evaluate your teeth, gums, and jaw for any sign of dental disease or developing problems. In addition to an assessment of your oral health, every exam performed by our dentist is accompanied by a thorough, professional teeth cleaning to remove any harmful accumulations of dental plaque or tartar that you may have missed while brushing or flossing.

We'll also review your home care routine and offer guidance as to how you can clean and care for your teeth more effectively between checkups. A winning oral care routine includes twice-daily brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, regular flossing, and using an antibacterial mouthwash.

Solutions to Protect the Health of Your Smile

Although tooth decay is a widespread oral health concern, with periodic visits to our office, cavities can be prevented. At our dental practice, we provide personalized, state-of-the-art solutions for all of your dental healthcare needs. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call today.