Common Cavities and How Our Indianapolis Dentist Helps Prevent Them

In spite of the many advances in dental care and the increasing awareness of the importance of regular dental cleanings, cavities (properly known as “caries”) are still the most common disease that dentists treat. Although most cavities are relatively simple repairs, prevention is still a much better alternative. The good news is that most cavities are entirely preventable with proper, basic at-home care. Examine 3 common types of cavities and how they can be prevented with the help of our Indianapolis dentist at Meridian Dental Center.

 

Cavities on Biting Surfaces of Teeth

Also known as “occlusal” cavities, decay that occurs on biting surfaces is easily prevented with proper brushing. Most occlusal cavities occur on back teeth (molars), although they're also found on premolars as well. Because molars are the furthest teeth back in the mouth, many people fail to adequately brush them. By making sure to get your toothbrush all the way to your back teeth, you'll avoid decay that starts in these areas. 

 

Smooth Surface Cavities

 As the name implies, smooth surface cavities are found on the smooth vertical surfaces, or sides, of the teeth. Further, there are two common places that smooth surface caries are found: on the sides of molars and near the gum line of any tooth.

 

Molars have a naturally occurring depression on the outer side which is an easy place for plaque to gather and cause cavities. Like occlusal cavities, ensuring that you're brushing your back teeth adequately prevents decay in these spots. Cavities near the gum line typically occur due to failure to brush adequately or properly near the gum line. What results is plaque that's left behind to form cavities. 

 

Cavities Between Teeth

The areas between teeth are natural cavity havens, as this is probably the most neglected area. Although the teeth (ideally) touch one another, there's still plenty of space in between them for microorganisms to thrive and destroy tooth structure. Only flossing cleans the area where teeth touch one another, called the “contact.” Ideally, flossing should be done daily, but by incorporating it into your routine just a few times a week, you'll slow down the decaying process between teeth. 

 

The process by which cavities form is very simple, thus prevention requires very simple habits. As everyone knows, habits are hard to break, so why not form good habits? Once you get into a routine of practicing excellent at-home dental care, you'll find it hard to stop. This is truly the best kind of habit—the kind that keeps you healthy.  

 

Think you may have a cavitiy? Give our office a call today at (317) 926-5467 to schedule an appointment with our Indianapolis dentist at Meridian Dental Center.