Tooth decay occurs when plaque forms over your teeth. This film created by the bacteria that sits on your teeth for a long time eventually causes damage. It has acid that eats away your teeth's enamel, making small holes called cavities. As this continues, your tooth becomes infected, and you may then lose a tooth if left untreated for too long. Thanks to dental innovations, dental cavities can now be treated easily. A dental filling in Marysville is designed to restore your damaged tooth attacked by bacteria.
So, what exactly leads to tooth decay?
Common Causes of Tooth Decay
Poor Oral Hygiene
By far, oral hygiene issues are one of the leading causes of tooth decay. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly will remove plaque. It is not enough to brush your teeth once in a while. It needs to be done regularly.
Remember that consistency is the key to keeping cavities away.
Poor Diet Choices
Too much of anything isn’t good. There are food varieties that are not teeth-friendly, such as the sticky and acidic options. Moist food is harder to remove and is more likely to linger longer on your tooth – causing tooth decay. Moreover, constantly consuming acidic food or beverage means coating your teeth in decay-causing acids.
If you don't want to damage your teeth, you must watch what you eat.
Drinking Alcohol
Did you know that your saliva plays a vital role in keeping your oral health in good shape? Saliva helps in neutralizing bacterial acid – preventing enamel and tooth loss. As you continue to intake alcohol, your saliva reduces. Thus, there are more chances for plaque-causing bacteria to grow and multiply.
Stress
Anxiety and stress can take over your physical health and your oral health. When you are too stressed, you tend to focus on getting rid of the unpleasant feeling. More often, you skip your daily routine – including your oral hygiene habits.
Don't let stress and anxiety take a toll on your dental health.
Tooth Location
Your molars are more susceptible to tooth decay since they are in the back of your mouth. These teeth are harder to reach when brushing and flossing. Some plaque frequently gets left behind – causing cavities.
It's imperative to take time to brush your teeth to ensure that you'll have everything covered.
Using the Wrong Kind of Mouthwash
Incorporating mouthwash into your oral care routine is always a good idea. However, you should know that there are already a lot of varieties to choose from and not everything is good for you. It is essential to know what type of mouthwash best suits your teeth.
Asking your dentist for recommendations is always a great idea.
Are You Ready to Get Dental Filling in Marysville?
Your smile says a lot about you, and Hixson Dental understands that you'll need a perfect set of teeth to gain positive impressions. Knowing how to deal with cavities at home is good, but discussing options with a trusted dental professional is a different story.
We commit to using our expertise in providing our patients with dependable and worthy dental solutions. Feel free to arrange an appointment with us should you want to know more.