San Francisco and Marin CA
No one wants to hear they have a cavity, but unfortunately, cavities — also called dental caries — are one of the most common dental problems worldwide. Teeth are covered with a durable, pearly white outer shell called enamel. When a tooth’s enamel is damaged because of decay, it leads to small holes, or cavities, that need to be cleaned out and filled by our family dentist in San Franciso at Glen Park Dental. Let’s explore today the various methods and tools our dentist uses to identify cavities.
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Visual exam
Dentists like ours encourage regular dental checkups and cleanings every six months in our office. This is a time for our Marin family dentist to visually inspect your teeth for any discoloration, visible holes or unusual spots on your teeth and especially in the grooves and pits of your molars, where cavities are most likely to form.
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Dental instruments
When you visit the dentist, one of the tools you may think of is the “hook” a dentist uses to probe your teeth. Sometimes even when a cavity is present, it doesn’t present as a discoloration. The “hook” instrument has a sharp, pointed end that helps our Bay Area family dentist feel for soft spots on the surface of teeth indicative of cavities.
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Technology
X-rays and digital imaging, such as intraoral cameras and optical scanners, help dentists detect cavities that aren’t visible to the naked eye. They help our San Francisco family dentist see between teeth and beneath the gum line and provide high-resolution images of the teeth.
Prevention
Cavities are not a normal part of your dental health that you just have to accept. In fact, it’s relatively easy to prevent cavities.
Here are a few tips:
- Brush and floss — Brush your teeth twice a day — once after breakfast and once before bed — for at least two minutes each time with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Floss at least once daily to remove particles between the teeth that your toothbrush may not be able to reach.
- Regular dental check-ups — Be sure to visit our family dentist in Marin twice a year for routine checkups and professional cleanings. This is an opportunity for our dentist to identify any problem areas early so we can intervene and prevent more extensive — and expensive — procedures down the road.
Prevent cavities in the Bay Area
Your oral health is our top priority at Glen Park Dental. If you think you may have a cavity, or if it’s time for your biannual visit to our dental practice, be sure to give us a call at (415) 799-3900 or reach out to us online today.
