Tooth Decay

Encinitas, Carlsbad, and San Diego

Tooth decay is friend only to the bacteria, which use hollows in your teeth as shelters against your deadly saliva and even your most persistent brushing, flossing, and rinsing. Once they create hollows for themselves, they hole up in there and strive to make their shelters larger to house more of their evil progeny. But you can stop them. General dental care and your best efforts will serve to dramatically reduce the amount of decay your teeth experience, but unfortunately into every mouth a little decay must fall.

 

If you have suffered tooth decay, don’t give bacteria more time to keep mining your enamel. Instead, let cosmetic dentist Dr. Mary A. Walsh-Cole restore your teeth to their functional and aesthetic peak. Please call 760-753-1227 or email us to schedule a consultation at our San Diego-area office today.

 

What Is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay, sometimes called simply “cavities,” or more properly dental caries, is the result of acid attacks on the enamel of your teeth. The acid can be from acidic foods and drinks, but bacteria make a great deal of it when they digest sugars and other compounds in your food.

 

Your saliva helps to maintain a safe level of acidity in your mouth, but when bacteria collect on your teeth in colonies called plaque, they are protected from your saliva and their acid byproducts make an impact on localized areas of your teeth.

 

If brushing fails to remove them on a regular basis, the plaques will harden into tartar, which gives even more protection and helps bacteria create holes in your teeth, which then trap food and give bacteria even more shelter from your cleaning efforts.

 

Treating Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is irreversible, but a cosmetic dentist can undo the damage with dental restorations that look and function similar to your natural tooth structure. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Walsh-Cole offers several restorations for the treatment of tooth decay, including:

 

• Composite fillings
• Porcelain inlays and onlays
• Dental crowns

 

The specific treatment recommended in your case depends on the extent of your decay and the amount and structure of remaining tooth material.

 

To learn more about the treatment options for tooth decay and which one is right for you, please schedule a consultation with San Diego cosmetic dentist Dr. Mary A. Walsh-Cole today.