Many people suffer from tooth decay due to a lack of oral hygiene or enamel that has begun to wear off over the years. Tooth decay can cause severe pain and even lead to tooth loss if it progresses.
To combat tooth decay and prevent it from developing, there are a few ways that your dentist can help you to protect your teeth.
1. Schedule Routine Cleanings
Most people hate going to the dentist. Many feel their dental visits are a waste of time or they are left with another unpleasant experience. In many cases, this is probably true.
You may not like going to the dentist, but it is imperative that you go at least every six months for regular cleanings. One of the most effective ways to protect your teeth from decay is to schedule routine cleanings with your dental professional every six months.
This will help to remove the buildup of plaque and promote healthy gums. Without these regular dental visits, you are asking for trouble as your dental hygiene and health can affect your overall health.
2. Apply Dental Sealants
Your dentist can help you to combat tooth decay by applying dental sealants on your teeth with a gentle and safe method. The sealants are commonly applied to the back of the teeth on the premolars and molars to bond depressions and grooves that are present where food often becomes lodged.
The sealants work as a protective shield and can prevent cavities due to bacteria and plaque that develops. Sealants are great in that they can help prevent cavities from getting worse and causing further damage to your gums and teeth.
3. Get Routine Check-Ups
Routine check-ups are usually part of your cleanings as well. This way your dentist will be able to help you keep track of where you stand in terms of your dental health and hygiene.
This can allow the dental professional to detect early signs of gum disease or tooth decay and take the necessary steps to treat it. Dental offices like Valley Oak Dental Group Inc. will be able to perform digital x-rays and discover tooth decay that has developed before it becomes worse.
4. Take X-rays
X-Rays can reveal a lot of information about your dental health. Your dentist will be able to perform digital x-rays to evaluate the condition of your teeth and look for any signs of cracks or decay that have begun to develop.
This will be performed by physical exams to monitor any issues that may be present. The digital x-rays will also help them to catch any decay early on. The dental professional will then advise you of practical steps to take to reduce tooth decay from developing in the future with the foods that you eat or with extra flossing that is needed.
This will also give your dentist the ability to understand how to take care of your teeth whether it comes down to replacement or putting in a simple filling to prevent cavities from growing and producing further decay.
When caring for your teeth and taking different steps or preventative measures to reduce your risk of tooth decay, it’s important to do it with the help of a dental professional to ensure that you perform proper oral care.
This will allow your teeth to remain in good condition for several decades and will reduce the risk of tooth loss from occurring. After all, you only get one set of teeth. Make sure you are doing everything you can to make sure that they receive the best care possible.