JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
At your last dental examination appointment maybe you were told that once again, you had a cavity. You're probably wondering how you keep getting them. Well I will explain to you what a cavity is, what causes cavities, how to prevent them and a special program we offer here at the Diely Dental clinic to keep you from having this recurrent problem.
A cavity is a hole in the tooth that is caused by decay. Decay occurs when plaque, the slimy substance that forms on teeth, combines with the sugars, starches and bacteria. This combination produces acid that attacks tooth enamel.
The best way to prevent cavities is by brushing twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride, flossing and rinsing with a fluoride rinse and lastly making sure you keep all of your dental appointments. Eating healthy foods, avoiding snacks and drinks that are high in sugar are also good ways to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when foods containing carbohydrates are left on the teeth. Bacteria that live in the mouth digest these foods turning them into amino acids.
The bacteria, acid, food debris and saliva combine to form plaque which clings to teeth. The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the teeth, creating holes in the teeth called cavities, or caries. Many people think cavities only affect children, but changes that occur with aging make cavities an adult problem too. Recession of the gums (pulling away of gum tissue from the teeth), often associated with an increased incidence of the gum disease gingivitis, can expose tooth roots to plaque. Also, sugary food cravings in pregnant women can make them more vulnerable to developing caries. Decay around the edges of fillings is also common in older adults.
Many older adults lacked the benefits of fluoride and modern preventive dental care when they were growing up, so they often have a number of dental fillings. Over the years, these fillings may weaken and fracture, allowing bacteria to accumulate in the tiny crevices causing tooth decay. Your dentist can discover cavities during your regular dental check-up. The tooth surface feels soft when probed by your dentist instrument. X-ray can also show cavities before they become visible to the eye. In advanced stages of tooth decay, you might experience a toothache, especially after consuming sweets, hot or cold foods or drinks. Other signs of tooth decay are visible pits or holes in the teeth.
Cavities are treated in a number of different ways depending on the extent of tooth decay. If decay is not extensive, the decayed portion of the tooth is removed by drilling and can be restored with a filling made of silver alloy, gold, porcelain or a composite resin. Now that you have background information on what a cavity is and how it is formed, I would like to familiarize you with a program the Diely Dental Clinic offers called the High Caries Risk Program.
The High Caries Risk Program is a program geared toward preventing individuals with multiple cavities from repeating the cycle. At the time of your yearly dental exam, the dentist evaluates your caries risk. If you are found to have at least 3 cavities you are considered as having a high caries risk. High caries risk means that you are more prone to developing cavities. You will be asked if you would like to be part of the High Caries Risk Program. This program is voluntary but very beneficial to you. You will receive 2-4 fluoride treatments over a 3-6 month time period, be prescribed a fluoride rinse, be given oral hygiene instructions, discuss cavity prevention, be provided with diet and nutrition counseling and also have all of your cavities filled.
After you have completed the high caries protocol and all cavities have been filled, you will be recalled six months from the date of completion for another exam to see if you have remained cavity free. Once you are cavity free, you will have completed the High Caries Risk Program. If cavities are found at this exam, then it will be your choice if you would like to start the program up again. Remember this program is here for you. This information provided you on how cavities are formed and how to prevent new ones will and hopefully make your next dental visit caries free.