Preventing Tooth Decay: A Lifelong Maintenance Plan at Schaefer Dental Group in Lansing, Michigan
Tooth decay is often called the second most prevalent human disease, affecting a significant number of children and adults. Without effective treatment, it can lead to pain, tooth loss, and more serious illnesses. The good news is that you can take steps to prevent tooth decay from harming your teeth—or those of your loved ones—by adopting a consistent preventive maintenance plan.
Fighting decay should be viewed as a continuous process. The basic aspects of this process involve practicing good oral hygiene at home and coming in to Schaefer Dental Group for regular cleanings and checkups.
Routine Professional Maintenance
During routine visits to your dentist in Lansing, Michigan, professional cleanings are performed to remove buildups of plaque (a bacterial biofilm) and tartar (hardened deposits, also called calculus). Hand-held instruments, ultrasonic scalers, or both may be used to thoroughly clean your teeth. Afterwards, your teeth are checked for decay, and cavities are treated when necessary.
How Does Decay Start?
The mouth is a dynamically balanced ecosystem. When sugars are present, pathogenic (harmful) bacteria produce acids that cause teeth to lose minerals and begin breaking down. Even a diet having excessive acidic foods can contribute to demineralization of your teeth. Fortunately, your body’s own healing mechanisms, including healthy saliva, work to reverse this damage.
A major goal in decay prevention is to tip the balance in favor of the beneficial processes. This involves keeping up a regular habit of brushing and flossing, getting adequate fluoride, and maintaining a diet with limited acidic foods.
Additional Steps to Prevent Tooth Decay
Because some individuals are more prone to decay than others, Schaefer Dental Group can assess your individual risk factors and recommend personalized preventive treatments:
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Advanced Home Care: This may include using special toothpastes or mouthrinses, and learning effective brushing techniques.
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Topical Fluoride Applications: In-office topical fluoride treatments are available if you aren’t getting enough fluoride through drinking water or other sources.
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Anti-bacterial Treatments: These may be beneficial in some cases, as is nutritional counseling to modify a decay-prone diet.
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Dental Sealants (for Children): For children, a dental sealant is a practically invisible layer of plastic resin applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. This painless procedure fills in the natural pits and folds, making them much more resistant to bacterial damage.
Don’t think that tooth decay is inevitable—instead, find out what you can do to help prevent this disease from affecting you or your loved ones. Contact Schaefer Dental Group today to schedule your next preventive care appointment.