The Dental Blog

Why People Get Decay and What You Can Do To Prevent It

Dental decay happens when the germs in your mouth eat the sugar you take in to form acids that accumulate on your teeth. The acids literally dissolve the teeth, making the holes we call cavities. As the holes get bigger, they trap more germs, so the cavities continue to grow to the point where an abscess will form if the cavity is not cleaned out and repaired.

To Prevent Decay, We Stress:

1. Daily effective oral hygiene measures at home including brushing, flossing, oral irrigators etc., to remove bacteria, plaque and accumulating acids.
2. Early detection of open crevices on teeth and leaking old fillings to eradicate decay in its earliest stages.
3. Reduction in dietary sugar to minimize the acid making potential of the bacteria that even the best brushing and flossing might miss.
4. Prescription-strength Fluoride treatment to harden the teeth to make them more decay-resistant, for children and adults.
5. Most important, consistent and regular professional dental examinations, cleanings and x-rays when appropriate to keep you apprised of your dental condition, increase home care effectiveness and clean the spots that are hard for you to get.