From a young age, we are taught that most of our oral hygiene efforts are to combat cavities. It’s easy to remember back to early Halloweens with our parents telling us not to eat all of our trick-or-treat hauls, so we don’t suffer from the dreaded cavities. While it is still essential to prevent this form of tooth decay, it is also important to understand what causes them and how to treat them. In today’s blog, your North Hollywood, CA dentist discusses cavities, how to prevent them, and how we can treat them should they occur. 

Understanding Cavities

They are a type of tooth decay that typically affects the top of your teeth and the spaces between them. They are usually caused by lifestyle and diet choices and can be exacerbated by poor preventative efforts. Sugary drinks and beverages, particularly sticky ones, are the most common culprits for cavities to develop. The bacteria in your mouth gravitate towards sugar, and when they consume it, they create acid as a byproduct, which then wears down your enamel. Sticky foods often stay attached to your teeth, allowing this bacteria to flourish and damage your enamel. This is why it is essential to maintain good brushing and flossing habits. Be sure to brush at least twice a day and floss every night. If you enjoy something particularly sticky, be sure to brush immediately after to remove the substance. You should also regularly visit the dentist for checkups so they can monitor your oral health and suggest the appropriate treatment for any developing issues.

How We Treat Decay

Should you develop cavities, do not worry because we can easily treat them with a dental filling. This procedure consists of your dentist removing the decay from your affected tooth and then placing a filling in it to prevent more bacteria from settling in. Once your dentist removes the decay, they carefully clean the space to ensure there isn’t any lingering infection. From there, they shape the small hole so it can easily receive a filling. Next, they actually place the filling, which is made from a biocompatible resin that blends in with the rest of your smile. The final step is smoothing it out, which feels comfortable in your mouth. 

You Need To Act Quickly

If you think you might have a cavity, it is paramount to treat it quickly. The decay can worsen and move deep into your teeth if you don’t. The deeper it goes, it will begin infecting the pulp of your tooth, which can ultimately require root canal treatment to extract the decay. This is much more intrusive than a filling, so you want to avoid it when possible.

Schedule An Appointment To Treat Your Decay

If you would like to schedule a dental filling or learn more about decay, contact Modern Smiles in North Hollywood, CA by calling 818-763-9353.