Jackson Heights Dentist
Cavities are those all too familiar holes that form in your teeth as a result of dental decay. Here at The Gentle Dentist, we're committed to the prevention of cavities, but doing so requires that we discuss the causes and symptoms of them to ensure that you, our valued patient, are totally aware of what to look out for. Treating a small cavity with a filling will keep it from growing larger, which puts you at greater risk for letting bacteria get inside your tooth and cause an infection. That can lead to severe pain and the need for root canal, something that everyone prefers to avoid.
Dental decay causes cavities, but what causes dental decay? It's that filmy substance known as plaque, which grows on and between teeth, fueled by bacteria and sugar. For this reason, our
Jackson Heights dentist recommends that you limit your consumption of sugar as part of an overall nutritious diet. Plaque erodes your precious tooth enamel. It's that simple. When you brush after meals and floss daily, most of the plaque you have is eliminated. But what remains, hiding in gum pockets and out of reach of your oral hygiene, hardens into tartar. Unfortunately, tartar cannot be removed with brushing and flossing, but it does cause the same negative effects as plaque. Symptoms of dental decay and the resulting cavities are typically having a toothache, or a tooth that is sensitive to hot or cold foods and drinks. Should you experience either of those signs, be sure to come in and see our
Jackson Heights dentist so that it can be addressed in a timely fashion. Aside from brushing and flossing and limiting your sugar intake, the best preventative measure is to come in every six months for an exam and a teeth cleaning, which will eradicate any plaque as well as tartar that you still have.
Our
Jackson Heights dentist is on your side when it comes to stopping the formation of cavities. Call us to schedule your six month visit or if you're noticing any symptoms that would indicate a cavity.
By The Gentle Dentist
December 6, 2016
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