Discovering the Secrets to a Healthy Smile: Preventing Tooth Decay

It's no secret that the best way to keep your smile healthy and free from tooth decay is with good oral care. By seeing your dentist for routine checkups, maintaining an effective oral hygiene regimen at home, and staying away from food or drinks high in sugar, you can significantly reduce your risk of cavities. While 60-90% of children worldwide and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities, tooth decay is, in large part, preventable.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries, develops because of an infectious process that causes progressive damage to tooth structure. It begins because of a sticky film, known as plaque, that accumulates on the surfaces of your teeth. As the harmful bacteria in dental plaque metabolize the sugars in your diet, they produce acids, which, over time, can eat away at healthy tooth structure.

Without proper care, a cavity can lead to significant damage to tooth structure, irreversible damage to the nerve of the tooth, a dental infection, tooth loss, and even more severe consequences to your overall health and well-being.

The following factors can contribute to your risk of developing tooth decay:

• Inadequate Oral Hygiene Practices – By not regularly brushing and flossing your teeth or seeing your dentist for periodic dental cleanings and care, dental plaque will accumulate and lead to the formation of cavities and gum disease.
• Improper Nutrition – A diet high in sweets, frequent snacking as well as acidic food and drinks creates an oral environment that promotes tooth decay.
• Dry Mouth – When adequate dental saliva is not available to constantly bathe the teeth, cavities are more likely to develop.
• Bruxism – Chronic teeth grinding strips away the outer protective layer of enamel and makes the teeth more vulnerable to decay.
• Enamel Defects and Deeply Grooved Teeth – Deep crevices or defects in the dental enamel harbor plaque, and are likely areas to develop cavities.
• Receding Gums – Exposed tooth roots due to receding gums do not have the added protection of an outer layer of dental enamel. With the accumulation of dental plaque, these roots are susceptible to decay.

Some simple steps go a long way in preventing tooth decay.

At Mitch Levitt, DDS, our office provides the highest level of skilled and experienced care to help reduce your risk for tooth decay and diagnose cavities early in their onset, when they are typically the easiest to treat. Remember, excellent oral hygiene, a nutritious diet low in sweets, routine dental cleanings, checkups, and care are the best ways to protect the health of your smile.

By brushing and flossing your teeth each day as recommended, you can help prevent the buildup of dental plaque, which is responsible for dental disease. Our professional team provides essential dietary guidance and will demonstrate the best home care methods to help patients of all ages maintain optimal oral health. Even for the best brushers and flossers, plaque can still hide and harden in spots too difficult for a toothbrush to reach. For this reason, we advise professional teeth cleaning twice a year at checkup time. In this way, our hygienist can remove any residual plaque you may have missed while brushing and guide you on better practices for maintaining optimal oral hygiene at home.

Since children are particularly vulnerable to cavities, we also provide periodic fluoride treatments and place dental sealants to strengthen and shield their teeth. While being proactive is the best way to prevent tooth decay, there's no need to despair if a cavity does develop. With early detection and care, our dentist will gently and precisely excavate the diseased and damaged tooth structure and place a long-lasting filling to rebuild the integrity of your tooth. We use the latest generations of biocompatible tooth-colored materials to expertly restore the appearance and function of your tooth. Your new restoration will be durable, attractive, and blend seamlessly with your smile. For deep tooth decay, we may recommend a full-coverage crown and additional treatment as indicated.

Taking care of your teeth is easier than you think!

While maintaining good oral hygiene can sometimes feel like a chore, it's essential to keep up with these habits to ensure that your teeth stay healthy and strong. By following the advice provided by our dedicated staff at the office of Mitch Levitt, DDS, you can minimize your risk of developing tooth decay and enjoy a beautiful, confident smile for years to come.

Don't forget to schedule regular checkups with us so that we can monitor your oral health and catch any potential issues before they become serious problems. And if you ever have any questions or concerns about your dental care, please don't hesitate to reach out to our friendly team at the office of Mitch Levitt, DDS. We're always here to help!