If there’s one procedure that people commonly get when they visit a dentist, it’s a cavity filling. This is because tooth decay is one of the most common oral health issues that people face at every age. According to dental health experts, cavities remain a prevalent problem despite advances in technology. Many people seem to have misconceptions about how cavities form, how they are detected, and what risks they pose. Fortunately, these questions can be easily answered with the level of knowledge that dental professionals have nowadays.

How do cavities form?

Tooth decay, while often attributed to too much sugar intake, is actually impacted by harmful bacteria in the mouth. This kind of bacteria can multiply quickly with the help of sugary foods, which can eventually lead to decay and cavities. Sugar will not only fuel the bacteria but it will also cause an acidic reaction that can erode precious tooth enamel. Once the enamel is weakened by this acidic erosion, the tooth is less protected against plaque and cavity formation. This is why your dentist always emphasized the importance of brushing and flossing every day! Regular oral hygiene practices and yearly professional cleanings are the best way to maintain oral health and decrease the chances of getting cavities.

How are cavities detected? 

Many people think that cavities are obvious to the people that get them. However, this is not necessarily the case. People can’t always tell when they have a cavity because this decay happens on the inside of teeth. Pain or discomfort is not always perceptible and the only real way to detect cavities is to schedule regular checkups at a dentist’s office.

What risks do cavities pose to our oral health?

According to a dentist, cavities can lead to bigger oral health problems such as a crown, root canal, even extraction if they are left untreated. The reason for this is that cavities make teeth weaker and more susceptible to disease. This can make daily habits like eating and talking uncomfortable and disrupt sleep cycles. In the unfortunate case where a cavity grows big enough to infect the tooth pulp, a patient will probably need to get a root canal procedure.

Cavity Fillings

Dental fillings are one of the main sources of treatment for developing cavities and they are often quite effective. Patients can choose between metal fillings and composite fillings, which can be color-matched to teeth; However, as a holistic and biological dental office, we only offer natural, non-toxic, bio-compatible, and mercury-free fillings. Our office is not only mercury-free but also mercury-safe following of SMART (Safe Mercury Amalgam Technique). Some fillings can be completed in one sitting while others may require a follow-up appointment to finish the job. It is important to get cavity fillings done as soon as your dentist recommends, or else tooth decay might worsen and you may require a dental crown instead. In the case where a dental filling crack or breaks off, oral care professionals can remove the old filling and replace it with a new one to preserve the health of the tooth. If you have any concerns about tooth decay and would like to have your mouth examined, then schedule an appointment with your local dentist in Laguna Niguel and Mission Viejo such as Aria Dental to check in with your current oral health.

Here at Aria Dental, the ultimate goal of our office is to preserve your natural teeth for life and maintain your oral health at an optimum level.

We not only take minimally invasive techniques, non-toxic materials, holistic protocols, and preventive approaches to restore your damaged, decayed, or fractured teeth, but also we provide biomimetic dental treatments to conserve and preserve as much as natural tooth structure as possible.

We are a certified and accredited member of IAOMT (International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology), IABDM (International Academy of Biological Dentistry & Medicine), and Holistic Dental Association (HDA)

To schedule your appointment and consult with our holistic and biological dentist, please call us at (949)364-9600 or visit our website: www.AriaDentalCare.com