Dental Caries: Some Advice From Dental Implants Experts in Sun City

On a day-to-day basis, our teeth perform various functions that are invaluable to our quality of life and indeed, ability to live! Therefore, it only makes sense that we take the time to care for our teeth properly. Unfortunately, our teeth are made vulnerable to a great variety of health risks throughout our lifetime due to general wear and tear and bad dental habits. In this article, with the help of dental implants specialists in Sun City we will take a closer look at dental caries or cavities, which is a very common oral problem affecting millions of Americans.

Oral Problems: What are Dental Caries?

Our teeth are covered by a hard substance referred to as enamel. Dental caries or cavities are a form of tooth decay whereby holes have formed in the teeth when enamel has been damaged. Sun City dental experts explain that if left untreated, the damage will progress to the point where the interior of the tooth - the pulp chamber - may become infection and you may suffer tooth loss.

Oral Problems: What Are The Signs of Dental Caries?

Dental implants specialists in Sun City recommend that you visit your dentist at least twice a year for general check-ups. Symptoms of dental caries or cavities may include toothache and specifically pain triggered by chewing or exposure to cold. Furthermore, you may present with swollen or red gums. Your dentist will discover cavities during a regular check-up and may opt to use oral X-ray technologies that can discover dental caries or underlying infection before it becomes visible to the naked eye.

Oral Problems: How Are Dental Caries Treated?

Depending on your specific case, your dentist will provide you with the appropriate course of treatment. Sun City dental experts say that treatment for dental caries may include an antiseptic mouthwash, dental fillings and a course of antibiotics if there is infection present. If for instance the decay is not extensive, your dentist will remove the decayed portion of the tooth and restructure your tooth using a filling material. If on the other hand decay is extensive and there is little healthy tooth structure remaining, your dentist may opt to use a crown to fit the tooth.

Oral Problems: Who is Most Affected by Dental Caries and Cavities?

Just about anyone. There is a misconception that cavities generally only affect children; however changes occurring with age make cavities an adult problem too. Excessive intake of soft-drinks or sugary sweets also leads to dental caries and cavities as well as a lack of a proper oral hygiene routine. Decay can often occur around the edges of fillings in older adults.

Oral Problems: A Final Word of Advice

As stated above, anyone can become vulnerable to dental caries or cavities. The key to caring for your teeth is maintaining proper care for your teeth through consistent oral hygiene procedures and regular check-ups with your dentist. Dental implants specialists in Sun City explain that by caring for your teeth properly, you not only extend your quality of life, but you put yourself in a position to prevent oral problems rather than dealing with problems after they have caused damage.