It was Valentine’s Day recently, a holiday that is known for its celebration of chocolate and other sweet items. While these treats are tasty, too often sugary foods can cause cavities. Oh, but you have been keeping up with your good dental habits, like daily brushing and flossing, yes? That is great. However, sometimes a cavity can form and you are not even aware of it because you do not feel any pain. This is why regularly visiting your Leawood, KS, dentist is important. By doing so, we can detect cavities and other oral issues early and provide treatments, like dental fillings, to help protect your teeth from further decay. Whether you are old or young, you will probably experience having a cavity at least once in your life. Let us learn more about them in today’s blog post.
How Does One Get A Cavity And What Is It?
Food can often be leftover in your mouth after you eat. It can get stuck between your teeth or within your molar’s crown ridges. Over time, if it is not removed, bacteria will feed on it and emit an acidic waste that will eat away at a tooth’s enamel, creating a hole that is a cavity. They start small, often without any sign of pain. But they can get larger, and once they do, that is when a tooth’s nerve is touched and you experience a toothache.
Do Only Kids Get Them?
While usually associated with children, cavities can happen to people of all ages. Patients who experience dry mouth consistently, have a diet that is high in sugary or acidic foods and drinks, have gums that are receding, or experience plaque and tartar buildup on their teeth are most at risk for having a cavity. It is important that you brush twice a day with a fluoride-based toothpaste and floss at least once a day so that you can remove any leftover food from your teeth.
If I Have One, What Do I Do?
If you think that you have a cavity, you will want to make an appointment with your Leawood, KS, dentist to have your tooth examined. Most small cavities can be treated by removing the decay from the infected tooth and placing a filling in it. This filling can be made of silver amalgam, gold, or glass ionomer. We suggest composite resin fillings, though, because we can change its shade to match the rest of your teeth so that it looks natural.
Schedule An Appointment With Us Today!
We are here to provide ways for you to prevent cavities and to treat them if they occur. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
