What are Cavities?

Cavities, often referred to as tooth decay, are tiny holes that develop in the hard surface of your teeth. They are most common in children and teenagers, but they can affect everyone, including infants and toddlers. Join Urgent Dental as we take a closer look at what causes cavities and how you can prevent them.

Causes of Cavities

Cavities typically occur as a result of poor oral health habits but other various factors can increase the risk of getting a cavity, including:

• Dry mouth occurs when there is a lack of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps wash away food stuck on the teeth and counters the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth, reducing the chance of cavities.
• Foods and drinks. Certain foods aren’t as easily washed away from saliva, making them more likely to cause decay. Foods you should limit include ice cream, honey, sugar, soda, cake, chips, cookies, and hard candy.
• Constant snacking or sipping. Drinking or eating frequently throughout the day results in increased bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria produce the acids that attack tooth enamel.
• Lack of fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent cavities and can reverse the early stage of tooth decay. Use a fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash to help reduce your chance of cavities.

Cavity Prevention

Regular dental visits and daily brushing and flossing are the best protection against cavities. But cavities left untreated get larger and larger, affecting the deeper layers of your teeth. Deeper cavities result in higher chances of experiencing severe toothache and infection. So, when it comes to cavities, prevention is key. Below are some of our cavity prevention tips:

• Brush with fluoride toothpaste. Brush and floss twice a day, ideally after each meal.
• Visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings remove plaque that builds up over time, which isn’t removed by regular brushing and flossing. Going to the dentist twice yearly is one of the best cavity prevention options.
• Dental sealants. Sealants protect the tooth enamel from harmful plaque and bacteria.

If you think that you have a cavity or are experiencing tooth decay, contact our Matthews, NC, office immediately at 704-246-3507.

Weighing the Risks vs. Advantages of Dental Implants

Implant dentistry has become a popular procedure for replacing missing teeth. Dental implant surgery involves replacing tooth roots with metal posts and damaged or missing teeth with artificial teeth that function like real ones. Urgent Dental in Matthews, NC, offers implants as a great alternative when natural teeth roots won’t work for dentures or bridges.

Risks of Dental Implants

While dental implant surgery has a few risks, they are rare, minor, and treatable. These risks include sinus problems, injury to surrounding structures, nerve damage, and infection at the implant site.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer numerous benefits, including:

• High Success Rate: A 95% success rate.
• Natural Appearance: Implants look and feel like real teeth.
• Improved Speech: Unlike dentures, implants don’t slip, which can affect speech.
• Comfort: Implants become a permanent part of your mouth.
• Better Oral Health: Implants do not require the modification of surrounding teeth.
• Bone Preservation: They prevent bone deterioration that can occur with missing teeth.

The Dental Implant Procedure

The dental implant process involves several steps:

1. Thorough Exam and Consultation: Your dentist will evaluate your oral health and will openly discuss your treatment options.
2. Implant Placement: A metal post is surgically placed into the jawbone.
3. Healing Time: The jawbone needs time to heal and fuse with the implant, which typically takes several months.
4. Attachment of an Abutment: Once healed, an abutment is attached to the implant.
5. Attachment of the Custom-Tinted Crown, Bridge, or Denture: Placing the artificial tooth or teeth onto the abutment.

At Urgent Dental, we prioritize your comfort and safety throughout the entire implant process.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Want to learn your options for transforming your smile? Contact Urgent Dental in Matthews, NC, today.

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