Tooth decay is caused by certain types of bacteria that live in your mouth.
When they attach themselves to the teeth, they can do damage. The bacteria feed on what you eat, especially sugars and cooked starches. People are more decay prone in their childhood years, during pregnancy, and in their later years.
Dr. Gapstur provides her patients with a decay prevention program designed specifically for their needs. Some of the methods for controlling decay include:
Despite your best efforts, teeth sometimes need to be removed to protect your health. When we’ve discussed all other possibilities and you’ve decided on extraction, we’ll take every step to help you. Your well-being always takes priority in any treatment decision. Some patients prefer sedation to help with oral surgery, and we can include medicated options into your plan. Regardless, we take every measure to make even minor surgical procedures as comfortable as possible.
While we consider the short-term management of your care, we should also discuss your long-term plans for replacing missing teeth. Leaving a space is always an option, but spaces in your smile can create appearance and functional challenges that are important to consider. Teeth slowly shift or migrate into open spaces, and minimizing the instability of an unbalanced bite can save a number of complications later in life.
Although our primary goal is to help your teeth stay healthy and functional, we can guide you through an extraction when needed. Fortunately, your mouth can be restored back to health after tooth removal. Since teeth help nourish our bodies and support our confidence, we will help you find a plan that fits your goals.
