Cavities are often experienced by many people, and luckily we dentists have an excellent set of protocols to help treat these conditions and protect your teeth. But this disease, as simple and as common as it is, is an ever-present challenge for dentists because of our current technologies and abilities to stop cavities from developing in the first place. With newer cavities developing, all treatments depend on the severity of the cavity development and other oral health factors that come into play, and although our treatments may be technologically limited, researchers have been looking into new techniques to help remove and stop cavities for good.
What We Can Do To Treat Cavities
Cavities are permanently damaged areas along with the tooth’s enamel, leaving grooves, fissures, and even openings that make your teeth vulnerable to decay and infection. Cavities develop from plaque accumulation, which contains hosts of bacteria that can quickly away at the enamel and gain access to the tooth’s roots and pulp. These hosts of bacteria can also cause adjacent teeth to become infected with bacteria and decay even further. Cavities are ruthless when given the opportunity, and so it’s vitally important that we take measures to keep our teeth clean and healthy.
However, for those unlucky enough to get a cavity or two, it’s also essential to seek out dental treatment as soon as possible to help reduce and remove those cavities. Cavities can be an inadvertent sign of other underlying conditions such as gum disease and can even lead to crooked teeth and chewing problems over time. For us, the best way to treat cavities is by providing preventative measures and treatments such as:
- Brushing and Flossing: Both toothpaste and floss provide excellent ways to clean our teeth and prevent the onset of cavities. Toothpaste provides an abrasive surface for removing bacteria and fortifies our enamel with minerals to keep our teeth healthy. Flossing works to clean in between the teeth and reach areas where our toothbrushes cannot. Flossing is considered the number one way to prevent gum disease caused by cavities and keeps our teeth cleaned out and protected from decay.
- Dental Sealants: For treatments, dental sealants are one of the best ways to protect the affected area from further decay. By sealing it up with a plastic, tooth-safe coating, our teeth can be cleaned out and secure from any bacteria.
- Fluoride Treatments: Fluoride treatments work as a preventative method for our teeth, strengthening our enamel and bonding with it to keep a clean, protective surface from the effects of bacteria.
- Staying Hydrated: Drinking water can be considered one of the best things you can do for your body, but it also works to remove bacteria from our mouths by increasing our saliva production.
- Healthier Dieting: Healthy dieting is also considered an excellent preventative measure because it provides our bodies with the nutrients we need to fight off against disease.
While there’s no cure for cavities, some researchers have been looking into the possibility of a new peptide found within our saliva, using the components of our saliva to prevent bacteria from developing in the first place! But while re4searchers are looking into new methods of care for our teeth, it’s still vitally important that you take care of your mouth by visiting your dentist as soon as possible.
