Dental Cavities at Medicine Hat
Can you get cavities on any of your teeth? Absolutely. Cavities can occur from failing to take care of your teeth by brushing and flossing, eating way too many foods containing high concentrations of sugar and avoiding the dentist. Cavities plague people in every corner of the world and are the number one issue that dentists deal with. You may think a little cavity is not a problem but if left unattended to it could lead to infection, pain or the loss of the tooth entirely. To help avoid the latter, you should make sure you visit your dentist for regular oral examinations where small cavities can be detected early on. Having your cavity filled prevents bacteria from spreading further into the structure of your tooth. Do you know that another name for a cavity is a carie and is also referred to as decay? Keep up with a good oral hygiene routine and you may never hear your dentist mention any of these terms. Prevention is the first step; here are a few tips to ponder over.
Request an AppointmentCan you check off all these tips to help reduce cavities?
- Dentist appointments 2 times per year
- Dental sealants on your molars
- Your tap water contains fluoride
- Rinse your mouth at various times during the day especially after eating
- After your meal, brush your teeth
- Use antibacterial rinse or fluoride treatments at home
Do you have any of these signs of tooth decay? If so, you need to make a dentist appointment.
- Your mouth is in pain while eating hot and cold food products
- Sudden toothache, or pain for no apparent reason
- Biting into anything causes you pain or major discomfort
- Tooth sensitivity
- Noticeable dark or white spots on your teeth
- Definite visible holes in your teeth
Cavities often go unnoticed by you because they start small but when you visit your dentist for a check-up, cavities are discovered during an exam or through an x-ray of your teeth if you have any. Some cavities develop as a result of your habits but some happen for other reasons.
What things can cause an increase in developing cavities?
- Dry Mouth Syndrome
- Not enough fluoride to protect your teeth
- Vomiting from eating disorders due to increased acid
- Lack of ample saliva
- Dental devices that make it difficult to clean parts of your teeth
- The build-up of plaque from poor oral hygiene
- Acid reflux and heartburn
- Age – children, teenagers and older adults
- Poor eating habits like snacking and consuming sugary foods
- Children sucking on bottles and sippy cups constantly and while in bed
- Difficulty reaching certain teeth to clean, like your back molars
How fast can plaque start to form on your teeth?
After you eat, plaque only needs about 20-30 minutes to start forming so it is good practice to incorporate brushing after your meals.
Options to treat or repair tooth decay include crowns, root canals, and fillings.
Keep your teeth and gums healthy by visiting Park Meadows Dental regularly.
Office Hours
Monday: 10:00am-8:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am-5:00pm
Wed-thurs: 9:00am-5:00pm
Fri: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sat: Closed (June, July, August and long weekends) Alternating Saturdays starting in September 8:00am-4:00pm please call ahead.
Sun : CLOSED
Location
Suite 101, 1854
Southview Drive SE,
Medicine Hat, AB, T1A 8L9