Cavities impact people of all ages, leading to serious discomfort and in severe cases, a higher risk of dental infection. To preserve your teeth and avoid complications, we recommend preventive care to safeguard your smile. With dental sealants, we help our Mansfield, TX, patients of all ages stay cavity-free!
The Causes (and Warning Signs) of Cavities
What causes a cavity? To protect our smiles, our teeth are coated in tooth enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. However, that doesn’t mean that enamel can’t erode or weaken, which often occurs as a result of poor oral hygiene. Injury or pressure, such as teeth grinding, could also compromise the enamel. When this happens, bacteria reach the inner dentin. The dentin makes up the majority of a tooth’s structure and is very sensitive. A cavity then forms and will continue to grow and spread, causing toothaches, tooth sensitivity, and the risk of infection unless treated. If you begin to notice persistent pain in your tooth, then see your Mansfield, TX, dentist right away.
Dental Sealants
If you have a cavity, then we will use a dental filling to repair the tooth and stop the progression of decay. But what can we do to help you avoid them altogether? To help kids and adults alike, we may place a dental sealant on the back teeth. These teeth are often difficult to reach when brushing and flossing. The sealant prevents food particles from becoming stick between the teeth. Otherwise, these trapped particles would be broken down by bacteria, a process that causes plaque buildup and enamel erosion. They are a special plastic material that will wear away naturally with time. If needed, we can reapply them in a future visit.
Preventing Future Cases of Tooth Decay
Along with dental sealants, you can also take other steps to help safeguard your smile. Children and adults both need to brush their teeth twice a day for two minutes each session. Everyone aged three and older should also be using a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Flossing before bed is also instrumental in cavity prevention. We also recommend cutting back on sugary foods and drinks, as well as making time to see us every six moths for a checkup and dental cleaning. If you have any questions about preventing cavities, or if you think you may have one that needs treatment, then contact our team today. Don’t let cavities impact your smile’s health and appearance!
Does Your Smile Need Preventive Care?
We offer preventive treatments to help patients of all ages maintain healthy and cavity-free smiles. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling our dentist’s office in Mansfield, TX, today at 817-473-6227.
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