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A Guide to Cavity Prevention

San Antonio dentist, Mark J. Williamson DDS, talks about cavity prevention and how we can help you keep tooth decay at bay.Imagine this – you have come to see San Antonio dentist Mark J. Williamson DDS for a cleaning and routine checkup. The cleaning goes well, but then Mark J. Williamson DDS tells you that you have a cavity. You’ve been dreading the possibility of this news and now you fear that something must be wrong, since you have been brushing and flossing regularly. 

At Mark J. Williamson DDS, we see this happen every day and we want to put your mind at ease. Cavities are very common and usually a simple fix. Use this guide to learn about what cavities are and how you can prevent them.

Cavities: The Basics

Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which is a byproduct of too much plaque. Here’s how it works: bacteria are already present in the oral cavity, and when we eat, the bacteria break down any food left behind in our mouths as we chew and swallow. The bacteria feed on what food leaves behind and grows into formations called plaque. Remarkably, it only takes 20 minutes for plaque to form on your teeth after eating!

The bacteria growing in plaque produces acid, which breaks down the tooth surface. Plaque is corrosive to the outer layer of your teeth (enamel). Left to its own devices, plaque will likely result in tooth decay, which literally causes decay in the structure of your teeth. Both enamel and dentin (the layer beneath enamel) may be damaged during this process, and a cavity can often form as a result.

How to Prevent Cavities

Now that you know the cavity’s life story, it’s time to find out how to keep your teeth protected! First of all, it’s important to understand that the majority of people will get at least one cavity in their lifetime, and although cavities most often affect children, it is possible for people of all ages to get them at any time. How do you prevent them? Mark J. Williamson DDS recommends these tips:

  1. Brush and floss at least twice a day, every day, especially after eating sugary or starchy foods! These foods transform into cavity-forming acid with ease.
  2. Mouthwash/rinses and fluoridated pastes help your teeth stay protected.
  3. Watch for common warning signs- tooth pains or aches, particularly when caused by foods/beverages that are cold, hot, and/or sweet.
  4. Come see us at Mark J. Williamson DDS for your cleanings and check-ups. We are experts at stopping cavities in their tracks and we love to see confident San Antonio smiles.

If you still fear cavities, that’s OK. We just want you to know that they are quite common and you should never be embarrassed or ashamed about having one. That being said, it is not a good idea to ignore them. Eventually, cavities can cause tooth discoloration and even lead to actual holes in your teeth. 

Don’t fret! Your San Antonio dentist office is equipped with modern X-ray and laser technology capable of detecting cavities early. Please feel free to contact us at Mark J. Williamson DDS with questions any time and make sure to come in regularly for your check-ups. Schedule an appointment today! 

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

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Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as personal health information or credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the Web page.

While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example: billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.

If you feel that we are not complying with your rights, you should contact us immediately via telephone or email. You also have the right to contact Health and Human Services (HHS) (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/). We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

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All rights reserved, Mark J. Williamson, DDS makes this website available to all users for the sole purpose of providing educational information on health-related issues.

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With respect to products, goods, or services purchased from any entity identified, listed, named or contacted through Mark J. Williamson, DDS’s website, or any links to Mark J. Williamson, DDS’s website, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Mark J. Williamson, DDS or its suppliers or vendors be liable for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, incidental, exemplary, contractual, or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever of any kind, resulting from any loss, which by way of example, includes loss of use, loss of data, loss of profits, business interruption, litigation, or any other pecuniary loss, whether based on breach of contract, tort (including negligence), product liability, or otherwise, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or performance of this site, with the delay or inability to use this site, or with the provision of or failure to make available any information, services, products, materials, or other resources contained on or accessible through this site, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

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