Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is what happens when harmful bacteria in your mouth creates acid that eats away at a tooth. If not properly treated, tooth decay can cause pain, cavities, infection the loss of the tooth, and can contribute to cases gum disease.
Tooth decay originates with bacteria. Plaque, which is a clear substance that is always being formed on your teeth, contains bacteria from the Streptococcus family that feed on sugar from the food you eat. As this bacteria feed, they create the acid that can begin attacking the teeth as soon as 20 minutes after you eat. If plaque isn’t removed through proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, the acids can destroy the enamel on your teeth and cause tooth decay.
There are some things that can cause you to be more likely to have tooth decay, which include:
- Suffering from diabetes
- Dry mouth - saliva helps wash away food and harmful sugars
- Not getting enough fluoride
- Eating foods that are high in sugars
- Smoking, chewing tobacco, or secondhand smoke
- Improper oral hygiene
Dr. Jose Lopez provides top quality tooth decay treatment in Boulder, CO. The steps necessary all depends on how advanced the tooth decay is. But the sooner it’s treated, the better of you and your tooth will be, so make your appointment to see Dr. Jose Lopez at Family & Cosmetic Dentistry today!
Prevention is a fundamental part of Dr. Lopez’s dental philosophy, so in addition to providing a remedy to existing tooth decay problems, he will also work with each patient on developing habits to avoid future instances of tooth decay or other oral hygiene issues. Dr. Lopez and everyone at Family & Cosmetic Dentistry is committed to giving you a healthy, pain-free smile you can be confident in.