Cavities, decay and dental caries all mean the same thing. It is something we want to avoid, but still occurs. At times during a lifetime we may experience a greater risk of cavities. There are many reasons for this. We are currently emphasizing ways to reduce the risk of cavities. At a recall visit we will, as always, review brushing and flossing with you as needed. If you are experiencing more decay or we notice something that increases your risk of decay we will make some additional suggestions for you.
Fluoride is an important component of the minerals that make up the enamel on the surface of our teeth. Teeth with the right amount of fluoride incorporated into their enamel are more resistant to cavities. Most everyday toothpastes contain some fluoride. When this is not enough it is possible to provide toothpastes with increased fluoride and other enamel strengthening materials. Rinses and gels containing fluoride are also available. This extra assistance is available to you as needed to help reduce the risk of those things we don’t want.