Last updated 3 months ago
Once your tooth enamel begins to decay, there is no getting it back. Look below to learn some basic information about cavities and how dentists treat them:
- Causes of Cavities
Your tooth enamel is harder than your bones, but it is also highly porous, making teeth susceptible to decay. Acids from the foods and beverages you consume seep into the enamel and begin to break it down. Furthermore, plaque, which contains acid-secreting bacteria, sits on the teeth, eating away at the tooth enamel. Without sufficient brushing at least twice per day, the plaque will linger on the teeth and cause cavities. The most common areas of tooth decay are on the chewing surfaces of the molars, because plaque nestles and lingers in the crevices of the teeth.
- How to Know When You Have a Cavity
A toothache is an advanced symptom of tooth decay, but many people associate pain with the first sign of a cavity because they aren’t looking for other smaller signs. Tooth sensitivity is a sign that your enamel is thinning, causing the nerves in the dentin, or the soft layer underneath the hard enamel, to sense hot or cold foods more easily. Pain when you bite down is another sign that a cavity is forming. If you can see visible holes or pus around the tooth, you may be suffering from a serious infection, so contact your dentist right away.
- Treatment for Cavities
If you have a cavity, your dentist will most likely recommend a filling and fluoride treatment. The filling will seal the hole caused by tooth decay, preventing further damage, and the fluoride will harden your tooth enamel, decreasing your risk for the formation of other cavities.
It is challenging to prevent cavities without the help of a professional, so visit the office Dr. Brad Hantverk, DDS if you need a caring and expert Astoria dentist. Our specialties range from teeth cleanings and cavity prevention to cosmetic dentistry procedures, so call (888) 698-9158 to schedule an appointment.
Last updated 3 months ago
There are always new procedures and advice developing in the world of cosmetic dentistry. Check out the following links for more information, and to schedule an appointment, call Dr. Hantverk, DDS at (888) 698-9158.
- Did you know that over-fluoridation can cause tooth discoloration? This condition, called fluorosis, is discussed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Whitening toothpaste can be a good option for lightly stained teeth. Learn more at the Mayo Clinic online.
- If you’ve lost all of your permanent teeth, dentures are a great way to help you chew and maintain a normal facial appearance. Read this article from the American Dental Association for further information.
- Dental implants replace missing teeth—and because they are implanted right into your jaw bones, they’re a permanent solution.
- Dental health and hygiene is a good predictor of other health issues, according to this recent article from the Wall Street Journal.
Last updated 3 months ago
Do you have young kids who aren’t sold on the idea of thoroughly brushing their teeth? Are you unsure of the best way to properly clean your own teeth? This iPhone app, iBrush, solves both of these problems in a fun and engaging way––with a game!
With this app, you have 60 seconds to “brush” the on-screen teeth in order to get them as clean as possible and turn the yellow teeth to bright white ones. It’s a great way to learn and have fun at the same time.
Hantverk, DDS can help you with teeth cleaning, teeth whitening, and a range of other cosmetic dental procedures. Call us at (888) 698-9158 to learn more.
Last updated 3 months ago
Everyone strives to look their best by paying attention to personal appearance, buying new clothes, getting a good haircut, and looking for the right products for hair and skin. Increasingly, there’s another element that’s considered in the personal grooming routine: tooth whitening. A step beyond normal brushing and flossing, teeth whitening improves the look of your smile through the use of a bleaching agent. In this blog post, we’ll explain how to achieve a brighter smile with tooth whitening:
Schedule a Consultation with Your Dentist
The first step is to arrange a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. It may be helpful to combine your visit with a dental cleaning. Your dentist will help you determine if your teeth are good candidates for whitening. If you suffer from fluorosis, stained teeth from a medication like tetracycline, or yellow or brownish teeth due to consumption of tobacco or dark beverages, tooth whitening may be able to help.
Choose the Best Whitening Procedure for You
Your dentist will next advise you about the best way for you to whiten your teeth. The easiest and least expensive way is with whitening toothpastes. These go a step beyond regular fluoridated toothpastes by targeting surface stains. Unfortunately, they may not be able to eliminate deeper stains and discoloration.
Your two other options are in-office bleaching and at-home bleaching. With in-office bleaching, your cosmetic dentist will protect your gums before applying a bleaching solution to your teeth. He or she may use a laser or special light to enhance the work of the solution. At-home bleaching is a little different—your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and provide you with custom-made trays and a bleaching solution to put inside of them. You’ll wear the trays for a prescribed amount of time, according to the instructions of your dentist.
If you’re looking for a cosmetic dentist in Astoria to help you obtain whiter teeth, contact Dr. Brad S. Hantverk, D.D.S. We strive to enhance the beauty of your natural smile with our dental procedures. Call us at (888) 698-9158 to schedule an appointment.
