cavities Archives - TLC Dental Care | Dr. Tamara L. Clauson

How Do I Know if I Have a Cavity?

Posted on January 30, 2020 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

Unbelievable as it may sound, of adults, 92% have had at least one cavity. This makes dental cavities are the most common disease globally, mostly thanks to the amount of sugar eaten by people.

Is it always painful when you have a cavity? At what point should you schedule an appointment TLC Dental Care? Our latest blog post talks about spotting a possible cavity, and how to handle it.

Recognizing A Cavity

Cavities occur when the enamel or surface of a tooth is damaged by bacteria and acid. This ultimately creates what we know as a cavity, which is simply a pit in the tooth. The cavity starts at the enamel but can continue on to the dentin, or inner layer of your tooth.

Sometimes, you can tell you have a cavity if you see a dark spot on your tooth. But this won’t always be the case. Occasionally, these dark spots might only be stains caused by food or drinks.

In other cases, a spot may not be visible even if a cavity is present. Dark spots can also be due to an injury or even be due to some medications. So, if you think you may have a cavity, the best thing to do is visit Dr. Clauson for a thorough exam.

Don’t Cavities Cause Pain?

Feeling pain from tooth decay is determined by how far along the decay is. You likely won’t feel anything when the decay is in the enamel layer, but, as the decay gets deeper into the tooth, this is when the pain will start. Pain or sensitivity to hot or cold can happen once the cavity reaches the dentin of the tooth.

It’s vital to get any tooth pain checked by your dentist since it may lead to more serious infections or tooth loss. The sooner the dentist can treat a cavity, the more likely it will be easier to treat.

The dentist will check your mouth for cavities by identifying soft spots on your teeth. You will also have x-rays to locate any decay that you can’t see or feel, such as those where teeth touch.

How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Cavities are formed from foods like bread, fruit, cake, candy, and other sugar or carbohydrates that stay on your teeth for too long. The bacteria that are present in your mouth break these down and change them into acids. The acids combine with the saliva in your mouth, turning into plaque, which then will cling to the teeth. It’s this plaque that will slowly dissolve the tooth’s enamel.

To keep cavities from starting, make sure you steer clear of beverages and foods with too many carbohydrates/sugar and brush and floss your teeth properly in order to eliminate any plaque that may be on your teeth.

Don’t Put It Off! Get in Touch With Your Dentist!

Unfortunately, there’s no way to find out if you have a cavity without visiting a dentist. Once you have a cavity, it only gets worse the longer you wait. If you have any concerns about your teeth, schedule an appointment with Dr. Clauson as soon as possible.

What Happens During a Dental Checkup?

Posted on December 10, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Dental Procedures

At a dental exam, the dentist is doing more than looking for cavities. There are good reasons why it’s recommended that we have a dental exam twice a year. Regular exams still are critical for making sure your smile remains beautiful and for maintaining the health of your gums and teeth, but, in addition to that, dental exams are also to check for problems that might not be restricted to your gums and teeth.

These routine dental checkups are in order to diagnose problems like cavities, periodontal disease, as well as many other health ailments. This is particularly useful as treatment for health problems is usually most successful with early detection. If not caught early on, some otherwise preventable diseases can cause major problems. However, it’s not just mouth-related problems, as some signs and symptoms observed in a dental checkup can be used to diagnose diseases elsewhere in your body.

Regular visits with your dentist can cut down on the risk of various diseases. Not having cleaning sessions will cause the bacteria in your mouth to stick to your teeth, coating the teeth’s surface with a biofilm. This bacteria can make their way into your tissues and blood vessels, causing inflammation or illness in other parts of the body.

A dentist might also help save you from heart disease. Those who don’t get their regular exams and cleanings are at a 13% greater chance of a stroke and a 24% greater risk of having a heart attack than people who have dental exams routinely, according to the American Heart Association. A dentist can also refer patients to a doctor should they notice high blood pressure.

Your dentist may discover symptoms such as gums that are bleeding or swollen, or tooth enamel erosion which may indicate diseases including acid reflux, eating disorders, or osteoporosis. Periodontal disease may be an indication of diabetes. A condition called oral candidiasis could be an indicator of a critical health issue like HIV, whereas Crohn’s disease may be indicated by mouth ulcers.

Moreover, exams with a dentist screen for risk factors for diseases such as oral cancer.

This is why your regular dentist appointments are vital to your overall health.

Have you booked your next appointment with Dr. Clauson? Why not schedule today?

Sealants: Another Way to Fight Cavities

Posted on August 23, 2019 by Dr. Clauson Posted in Oral Health & Prevention

The most effective method of fighting cavities is to floss and brush at least twice a day, but occasionally it can be hard to reach the entire surface of your teeth. This is especially true in the case of our molars, which reside in the deep depths of our mouths and act as a shelter for leftover food and bacteria. The good news is, dentists like Dr. Clauson offer sealants, which are thin, plastic coatings that are attached to your teeth where they hinder cavities and stop early stages of decay.

When the bacteria in your mouth meets leftover food, acids are produced. These acids can create eat into the enamel of your teeth, creating cavities. Sealants work by stopping food from getting wedged in those hard-to-reach spots while simultaneously keeping acid and bacteria off the surface of your teeth.

Considering that most of us get our first molars at six years old, the earlier sealants are administered, the better. By sealing our molars at an early age, they could remain cavity-free right from the beginning. And though you might consider them an expense, sealants are more like an investment. After all, having no cavities in your teeth means less money spent in the long-term.

Sealants aren’t just for children, however, and even adults can benefit from them. For adults who have already suffered from a minimal amount of tooth decay (which can be removed without anesthetic), a minor restoration using a preventative resin can offer similar protection.

The application process for sealants is quite simple. First, the dentist will clean the teeth the sealant will be placed on. Then she will administer an acidic gel, which forms a durable and strong bond between the sealant and the tooth to which it is being applied. After a quick rinse-and-dry, the dentist will apply the sealant and harden it with a special blue light.

After sealants are applied, they can last for several years before a dentist will need to replace them.

It’s important to remember that sealants are not an alternative to brushing your teeth. They only prevent cavities. To keep a healthy smile, you will still have to brush and floss regularly. However, if you discover that flossing and brushing are not enough to keep your teeth cavity-free, be sure to ask Dr. Clauson about sealants during your next visit.