Tooth Decay Treatment in Queens, NY

Tooth decay is caused by a gradual breakdown of tooth enamel by bacteria known as plaque. Plaque is made up of a cluster of food particles and germs and that stubbornly stick to your teeth. The germs that reside in plaque eat away at the enamel by producing acids. Enamel is the strong outer layer of your teeth that protect the soft core of nerves and blood vessels.

Tooth decay leads to cavities, and gum disease. It can damage the roots of teeth as well. You’ll experience toothaches and pain once the enamel wears down. You may even develop some serious medical complications.

Bacteria are common, attracted to most foods you eat. But it’s not really possible to completely remove them with brushing. Tooth decay treatment is important as it prevents tooth decay, reverses damage, and sometimes even cures tooth decay completely.

Good oral care plays a key role in prevention and tooth decay treatment. Brushing regularly prevents plaque from attacking your teeth over time. Flossing is essential to reach the gum line and between teeth where the bristles don’t reach. Your CitiDental team teaches you how best to care for your dental health.

Your dentist has a good chance to cure tooth decay even once it turns serious. The most common tooth decay treatment involves the drill and a filling. The decay is removed with the drill and the filling stops further damage from occurring. If the cavity is so big that it’s exposes the nerve, however, you may need a root canal. 

One of the biggest risks for tooth decay is your diet. Plaque forms when bacteria gather on a sticky film that certain foods produce. Sugar-laden food makes the best environment for germs to grow and attack your teeth. They use the sugar to make the acids that lead to decay. Bacteria can turn any carbohydrate left in your mouth into acid.

According to the Wisconsin Dental Association, “During the past generation, milk intakes have decreased while soda pop and 100 percent juice intakes have increased. It has become a daily habit for a growing number of people, especially kids, teens and young adults. A steady consumption of soft drinks is one of the leading causes of tooth decay.”

Poor oral hygiene puts you at risk in a big way. You may not be able to prevent bacteria from producing acid, but when you fail to care for your teeth with professional teeth cleaning, you give plaque the opportunity to multiply.

Age is another risk factor. Young children are at a higher risk of tooth decay due to the fact that their enamel is still developing.  Senior adults are at a higher risk when their gums recede and expose the delicate areas of the teeth to the ravages of plaque.

Prevention is always the best tooth decay treatment. Most low-to-moderate decay can even be reversed when you practice good daily oral hygiene. Avoid most major risk factors with healthy lifestyle choices. It may be nearly impossible to eliminate all plaque-causing foods, but at least try to limit your and your children’s consumption of the worst offenders, notably:

• Hard candy and gummy sweets that stick to teeth
• Sweetened sodas
• Highly acidic food and drinks
• 100 percent fruit juice, since it’s packed with natural sugars that still harm enamel

If do need tooth decay treatment, your team at CitiDental works with you to find affordable solutions to fit your budget. Whether you need to set up a regular cleaning schedule, fill cavities now or prepare your mouth for extraction caused by long untreated tooth decay, your Queens dentist has solutions.