While you may decide to put off your cavity until further notice…New Look Dental in West Kelowna assures you this is never a wise decision. With over 300 types of bacteria in our mouths every day, you can understand how drastically this situation can go from a simple fix to a complex root canal in time.
Why Cavities Form In Teeth
There are a variety of factors that can contribute to a cavity or dental caries forming. Poor oral hygiene, lack of flossing and consuming sugary and acidic foods and beverages such as juice, milk, wine or pop regularly are common culprits. Is a lack of dental insurance keeping you away? Book now and pay later with our PayBright Financial Services.
Additional reasons for cavity formation include:
• Genetics
• Improper dental health education
• Not visiting the dentist regularly
• Dry mouth due to certain medications
• Not brushing your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day (and especially before bed)
• Having a bottle of milk, juice or pablum before bed instead of pure water
• Swimming in unregulated chlorine pools and hot tubs
• Grinding teeth or Bruxism
• Cracked, chipped or broken teeth can allow bacteria to penetrate
How To Prevent Cavities
Avoiding sticky, chewy treats such as toffees and caramels or carbohydrate-rich snacks such as potato chips are advised for a variety of health reasons. These break down into simple sugars over time and wreak havoc on your smile. Of course, most of us do enjoy acidic fruits, candies, and chocolates from time to time. The key is to clean your mouth adequately afterward and maintain regular biannual checkups with us!
Upgrade Your Oral Hygiene Gear
We are happy to recommend different products to simplify and enhance your oral hygiene. From electric toothbrushes with built-in timers to special anti-bacterial mouthwashes for advanced cases and expanding dental floss; our courteous and professional team is always ready to answer all of your questions or concerns. It is delightful when clients heed our advice and everyone can see and feel the difference in their future appointments!
Will Cavities Get Worse?
We monitor your teeth, gums, tongue and oral mucosa to ensure that any invasive bacterial issue is treated before it turns into gingivitis or periodontal disease. It is never too late to visit your West Kelowna dentist! Putting off issues due to sensitivity, discomfort, bad breath or embarrassment will likely only compound the problem.
Cavities can take years or months to form…they do not develop overnight. Learning how to care for your smile is something we are passionate about sharing with every client. Let New Look Dental help you find your smile again!
How Cavities Are Formed In Teeth
Biofilm, plaque bacteria and food and drink residue can destroy the outer, protective layer of enamel that surrounds each tooth. Once your enamel layer is gone, it is gone. We, unfortunately, do not regenerate this hardest substance in our bodies; hence, prevention and protection are key. After this layer is missing, decay can set in and essentially bore away at your tooth.
Can A Decayed Tooth Be Saved?
Catching cavities when they start is ideal and yes, we always prefer to save your original tooth if possible. If the decay is left untreated, it can travel down to the root of the tooth and create an abscess. Even at this stage, a root canal or endodontic therapy can potentially save your smile. If the decay is too deep, or the rest of your tooth is too damaged, a dental extraction may be recommended.
Education Is Key
While it can be tempting to lie to yourself and decide that you will “deal with this later,” or “chew gum every day to mask your decaying dragon breath,” there IS a better way! Book a cleaning with New Look Dental and get the facts you need for your smile, your oral health and your entire body to succeed.
Did You Know…?
After all, our oral health affects much more than simply our smile. Swallowing copious amounts of bacteria daily can affect your heart and may even be linked to Alzheimer’s Disease and memory problems. Ensure you are giving your system the best chance to radiate health and happiness by maintaining your regular dental checkups.
Book A Cleaning With New Look Dental Today!
We’ve got awesome hours and ample parking for you and your family.
We are located in central West Kelowna behind Superstore on Old Okanagan Hwy. Visit us to get the low down on your smile and caring, helpful advice you can trust.
Happy Holidays from all of us at New Look Dental! 🎄
This post originally appeared on newlookdental.ca