According to the American Dental Association, “tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth.” Enamel protects the sensitive internal structure of your teeth and is absolutely necessary for a beautiful smile as well as overall health. Symptoms of tooth decay include:
- Toothaches
- Tooth sensitivity to sweets and hot or cold substances
- Holes or pits in teeth
- Black, brown, or white stains on teeth
Velma dentist, Dr. Matthew L. Bridges, has been helping his patients prevent and treat tooth decay for decades. His desire is to create a comfortable, compassionate, and welcoming environment for patients to learn how to prevent or treat their tooth decay. At Chisolm Trail Smile Center, we believe prevention is the best policy! Children as well as adults can begin prevention treatments today. To set up an appointment, visit our website for more information or contact us today.
What causes tooth decay?
Bad habits, stress, and other uncontrollable factors can wreak havoc on the enamel of your teeth. Here are the five top causes of tooth decay:
- Poor oral hygiene: The best defense against decay is to form good oral hygiene habits. These include:
- brushing your teeth at least twice a day
- flossing regularly
- brushing your tongue
- using mouthwash
All of these things work together to restore any damage that is done to your teeth during a long day of eating and drinking substances that may be harmful to them.
- Unhealthy eating habits: Candy, ice cream, and soda aren’t the only things bad for your teeth. Foods that are high in carbs, like breads, and high in acid, like oranges, can eat away at enamel. Overeating these types of foods will have a negative impact on the health of your teeth.
To protect and build the enamel, replace the unhealthy foods with others that are high in calcium (like cheese and yogurt) and phosphorus (like meats and eggs). Drinking milk, water, and green and black teas is also helpful.
- Tooth grinding: Stress and anxiety can cause people to grind their teeth while sleeping. This grinding breaks down the enamel on the outer layer of the teeth, resulting in decay. To reduce stress, try taking 30 minutes every day to do something relaxing. Additionally, bite guards will also help prevent tooth grinding.
- Dry mouth: Saliva contains elements that help restore teeth and prevent plaque from growing. Medications, medical conditions, or genetics can reduce the production of saliva. If you are suffering with dry mouth, an orthodontist can help determine the cause and recommend helpful treatments to keep your mouth moist.
- Delaying dental treatment: Regular dental cleanings and exams help to prevent and can reverse the erosion of enamel. At home prevention isn’t always enough to stop decay from happening. That’s why routine dental cleanings are essential for keeping your teeth healthy, strong, and beautiful.
Make an Appointment Today
Whether you’ve been taking great care of your teeth for years or you feel they have been neglected, if you haven’t received a dental cleaning recently, it’s time! Your Velma dentist, Dr. Bridges, and his team have been creating and maintaining radiant smiles for decades and are prepared to examine, discuss, and treat any issues or concerns you may have. To set up an appointment with your 73533 dentist, call (580) 255-4880 today.
