Cavities are the reason why most people fear going to the dentist. But they’re also the reason you should be visiting Dr. David Hennington on a regular basis.
Cavities are the breakdown of teeth caused by acid from food, bacteria, and plaque that inhabit the mouth. Many people simply think that cavities only form on top of a tooth. Dr. David Hennington and our team at Trade Winds Dental want you to know they can actually form on the sides along the gum line and between the teeth, too. This acid will eat away at the tooth, forming a soft hole.
Anybody, either children and adults, can get cavities. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the U.S. alone about 16 percent of all children ages six to 19 have untreated cavities. About 24 percent of adults 20 to 64 years old have them. This is detrimental to overall oral health, because cavities have a tendency to grow over time. They can potentially spreading to other teeth causing increased oral pain, possibly even affecting the nerve.
That’s why visiting Trade Winds Dental at least once every six months is important, so we can find and fill cavities before they become too problematic and painful. Typically, we find them during a routine teeth cleaning. X-rays or further examination may be necessary to determine the full extent of a cavity. Cavities are treated by removing the area of the tooth where decay has set in. Then rebuilding the tooth with a metal filling. If the cavity is too large more extreme measures may be necessary, such as placing a crown or performing a root canal.
As we noted above, cavities are why people dread going to the dentist. They are also the reason everyone should see the dentist every six months. Additionally, brushing twice daily, flossing, and cutting down on sugar-packed foods can reduce the risk of developing cavities.
For more information on how to best care for your teeth and why it’s important to visit the dentist twice a year, please give us a call at our convenient Georgetown, TX office today!