Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health concerns that general dentistry offices deal with. The good news is that there are effective and minimally invasive ways to treat most cases of tooth decay, and patients can prevent tooth decay from developing through good oral hygiene practices and regular dental cleanings.
Tooth decay is most commonly treated through dental fillings. The long-term focus for general dentists is to help their patients prevent tooth decay through good oral hygiene and regular cleaning and check-up visits.
Tooth decay occurs when the outermost layer of teeth (known as the enamel) wears away and leaves the underlying layers of teeth exposed. This occurs as a result of acidic attacks from the combination of bacteria and food particles such as sugar. One common cause of this is a build-up of plaque and tartar (which contains bacteria) on the surface of teeth. Diets that include excessive consumption of sugar, starch, and other carbohydrates can also increase the risk of tooth decay.
A dental filling is used to treat minor tooth decay. It is a minimally invasive procedure that does not cause much (if any) discomfort. The tooth is numbed during the procedure, but the numbness should go away within a few hours. A dental filling can last for a decade or more.
Prevention is the best way to deal with tooth decay. Patients that visit the general dentist for regular teeth cleaning visits and who practice good oral hygiene at home are at a much lower risk of dental cavities. Between dental visits, patients should brush, floss, and use mouthwash as recommended by their general dentist, along with making smart dietary choices such as limiting sugar consumption.
Regular check-up visits with a general dentist can help reduce the risk of tooth decay in the long term, as well. During a check-up, the general dentist can assess the condition of teeth and the gums and make a recommendation for treatment, if necessary. Routine dental cleaning may be administered if the teeth are healthy and there is no decay.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: General Dentist in Johns Creek, GA
Our general dentistry practice can treat tooth decay in multiple ways, depending on the severity of the decay and the location of the decayed teeth. We also focus on the long-term prevention of tooth decay and other oral health concerns. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Request an appointment or call Johns Creek Dentistry at 770-623-1427 for an appointment in our Johns Creek office.
Visiting the dentist can be an anxiety-inducing event for many people. The biggest reason for this is that general dentistry appointments are often associated with painful procedures and a perceived loss of control as you lay back and let the dentist and dental assistant perform their duties. It might also be possible that you are…
A general dentist can relieve a toothache after a proper assessment. This type of dental problem is often accompanied by swelling. It may even occur with a migraine, fever, or earache. Tooth pain needs immediate treatment. Here are the details on what a general dentist can do for a toothache.Each toothache is different. That is…
Our general dentist can help reduce the effects of teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Most people who grind their teeth tend to be unaware of their habit because it mainly occurs during sleep. Grinding your teeth occasionally due to being anxious or stressed out typically does not cause noticeable damage to teeth, but doing…
After experiencing a tooth injury, you have a better chance of saving your tooth if you go to an emergency dentistry office as soon as possible. Even if the tooth is knocked out, attempt to locate and bring along any tooth fragments. You are probably in a lot of pain if you have had a…
An impacted wisdom tooth requires emergency dentistry treatment. This type of tooth develops underneath the gums. It typically does not erupt above the gumline because there is no room for it. Impaction causes severe, distracting pain. If you want to know why you should go to an emergency dentistry facility for impacted wisdom tooth treatment,…