San Jose dental office
Cavities are a classic dental problem that happen to many people on a daily basis. Most cavities are caused by tooth decay and bacteria within the tooth that eat away at enamel, causing a hole. At Santa Teresa Family Dental, we treat cavities and dental decay at our
San Jose dental office and treat cavities.
If a tooth has become severely decayed, it may need to be extracted. In order to save a tooth from removal, we may recommend that a root canal be done. Root canals, also known as endodontic therapy, serve to save the tooth so that an extraction is not needed, otherwise the patient will have a missing tooth. If decay has damaged the pulp inside a tooth, the root canal procedure allows our San Jose dental office to clean the pulp out, seal the tooth and place a protective covering over it. Once the procedure is completed, a crown is put over the root canal area to protect it. To avoid cavities and extractions, we recommend having regular annual cleanings. Cleanings help remove food and bacteria that have been trapped in between teeth and gums. A dental cleaning can also help remove plaque and tartar from teeth and can get to places in between gums that regular brushing alone can’t do.
Tooth decay can also cause problems like gingivitis. Gingivitis and gum disease often happen as a result of not flossing or brushing properly and from eating too many sugary foods and a buildup of plaque and tartar. If annual cleanings are not performed, plaque and tartar can build up. Over time, food and bacteria get trapped in between teeth and gums, causing damage to the tooth enamel. Gums may swell or even get infected. If more advanced cleaning is needed, our
San Jose dental office may recommend a root planning or scaling.
By Santa Teresa Family Dental
September 29, 2017
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