Tooth Decay/Caries- Cause, Treatment and Prevention in Potomac. Are You in Risk?

Tooth Decay/Caries Treatment

Tooth decay occurs when plague is not removed from the teeth and gums. Good oral hygiene involves regular brushing and flossing at home and professional exams and teeth cleaning. It is never too late to begin practicing good oral hygiene. Even if you have experienced problems with tooth decay and cavities in the past, properly caring for your teeth now can reduce the occurrence of future problems. Call today to schedule a professional exam with a dentist at our Potomac dental office.

Teaching preventive oral health care to children is also important. Children can be taught at an early age to get into the habit of brushing and flossing their teeth on a regular basis. Special toothbrushes and toothpaste are made to appeal to children and may be helpful in attracting their interest in practicing good oral hygiene. A visit to the dentist may be an intimidating experience at any age. Dentists at our Potomac dental office have the experience and skill to put you at ease.

Tooth decay is caused by plaque. Plaque is a layer of food particles and bacteria that forms on the teeth throughout the day and sticks to rough surfaces of the teeth. Bacteria in plague interact with the carbohydrate in food and produce an acid that is destructive to the hard enamel surface of the tooth. Foods with a large amount of carbohydrate include sweets and candies. A diet low in these types of foods is beneficial for oral health. The destruction of the tooth enamel caused by plaque is called tooth decay. Tooth decay develops into dental caries or cavities.

Dental caries may be visible as black spots on the surface of the teeth. Caries frequently form in the small cracks and crevices of the back teeth. These teeth are more difficult for the patient to see and clean on their own. During a professional exam, a dentist will use a special probing tool to determine if any black spots on the teeth are dental caries. The probe is a pointed metal instrument and it will likely stick in the decayed area of a tooth when it is probed. When the tooth is healthy, the probe will simply scrape against the hard enamel surface. Not all cavities can be easily seen during an exam and an x-ray may also be necessary to determine if any cavities are present in the teeth.

Dental caries must be removed. Caries that are left untreated may cause additional problems in the surrounding gum and bone tissue that can be difficult to treat and painful for the patient. A patient with untreated tooth decay may experience problems with infection and abscess. The dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth using a small drill. The missing portion of the tooth is then filled with composite white fillings or silver amalgam so the tooth can function like a natural tooth would for activities such as chewing and speech. Other possible treatments/procedures for tooth decay may include the placement of dental veneers which are thin laminates bonded to the front of the teeth to alter the tooth’s color, size, or shape. If a large part of the tooth is removed, the natural structure of the remaining tooth may not be strong enough to function normally and a dental crown may also be needed. A dental crown is a “cap” on the tooth that increases the stability of the tooth structure. The crown looks like a natural tooth and increases the strength of the tooth.

Dentists at our Potomac dental office will examine your teeth for tooth decay during a professional exam and teeth cleaning. If decay is identified, an appropriate treatment plan will be determined.

If you have any futher questions please contact our office for an appointment 301-760-4550.

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Your Dentist 7508 Wisconsin ave. Bethesda MD 20814 tel: 301-760-4550