It is very important that you visit your Dentist South Yarra on a regular basis to prevent cavities and tooth decay. Cavities and tooth decay are very common here in Australia, the most common reason for cavities and tooth decay is dental hygiene and avoiding the dentist. You need to brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss between your teeth, and rinse your mouth regularly to remove the lingering bacteria and food particles from your mouth to avoid cavities and tooth decay. As well as maintaining good dental hygiene at home, you need to make sure that you are visiting your dentist South Yarra, at least once every six months and more often if necessary. You should also visit your hygienist at least once every six months so that they can remove any excess plaque and tartar from the surface of your teeth.

Plaque and tartar

Plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth on a continuous basis. If you do not brush your teeth properly, then plaque which is a sticky substance, consisting of bacteria, food, particles, and saliva sticks to the surface of your teeth and can harden within 48 hours to become tartar. Tartar provides an excellent surface area for further plaque growth. Over time you will have millions of bacteria living on your teeth. Some of these bacteria are beneficial and help maintain good oral health, breaking down food, and keeping your breath fresh. Some of the bacteria are harmful and release acid and toxins which damage the enamel of your teeth and cause small holes to form on the surface of your teeth. These holes become larger if they are not detected early and can reach the dentin. The dentin which is beneath the enamel is softer than the enamel, which means the hole grows very quickly through the dentin, and then it reaches the dental pulp which is at the centre of your tooth. Once it reaches the dental pulp, you will notice significant pain, sensitivity and discomfort, and if you continue to avoid the dentist south Yarra then it may cause irreversible damage which will result in you losing the tooth.

Tooth loss

Tooth loss can have a huge impact on your dental health and well-being. Therefore it is important that you visit your dentist South Yarra so that any signs of tooth decay and cavities are detected very early on and are treated quickly and effectively. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis, helps prevent plaque and tartar from building up on your teeth. Your dentist will look for any signs of cavities or tooth decay. Early signs of cavities can be reversed with good dental hygiene and fluoride application. Later stages of cavities can be addressed using fillings and if you are suffering from tooth decay, then you will need to undergo a root canal treatment to save the tooth. This means removing the infected pulp of your tooth and replacing it with a filling and restoring the tooth with a crown. This is an extensive general dental treatment. However it helps prevent tooth loss. If your tooth cannot be saved and it has to be removed. Then you will need to undergo a tooth extraction. This will be done quickly to prevent further complications. Once the tooth has been removed, the area will be left to heal. After that, you will need to speak to your dentist and find out about replacing your missing teeth.

Dental implants

There are different methods of replacing your missing teeth depending on how many teeth are being replaced. A single missing tooth affected by tooth decay can be replaced with a dental implant. Speak to your dentist and find out about dental implants. A dental implant is a small titanium screw which is placed into the bone socket of the missing tooth. The rest of your teeth will be examined for any signs of cavities or gum disease, if they are strong and healthy, then the dental implant surgery can be booked in sooner rather than later. Once the implant is placed into your jaw, it will take approximately 4 to 6 months to replace your missing tooth. If the tooth is near the front of the mouth, you can speak to your dentist and find out about a temporary crown to avoid embarrassment and discomfort. If it is at the back of the mouth then it should be unnoticeable. However, you may feel discomfort in your mouth and you may not be able to enjoy your favourite foods any longer. It will take 4 to 6 months to replace your missing tooth, but once it is carried out you will have a replacement tooth that will last for the rest of your life. Speak to your dentist today and let them put together an individually tailored treatment plan for you.

Disclaimer

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.